BEIIKELEY\ 

LIBRARY 

UNIVIWITY 
CALIFORNIA 


MEMORIAL   ADDRESSES 


LIFE  AND  CHARACTER 


WILLIAM  J,  SEWELL 


(LATK  A  SENATOR  FROM  XK\V  JKRSKY), 


IIKI.IVKKKD  ix  THK 


SENATE  AND  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES, 


FIFTY-SEVENTH    CONGRESS, 
SECOND  SESSION. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT     PRINTING     O  K  K  I  C  E  . 


(DOC. 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Proceedings  in  the  Senate 5 

Address  of  Mr.  Kean,  of  New  Jersey 10 

Address  of  Mr.  Cockrell,  of  Missouri  15 

Address  of  Mr.  Allison,  of  Iowa 20 

Address  of  Mr.  Morgan,  of  Alabama 24 

Address  of  Mr.  Cullom,  of  Illinois 28 

Address  of  Mr.  Proctor,  of  Vermont 31 

Address  of  Mr.  Daniel,  of  Virginia 33 

Address  of  Mr.  Warren,  of  Wyoming 38 

Address  of  Mr.  Penrose,  of  Pennsylvania 42 

Address  of  Mr.  Depew,  of  New  York  47 

Address  of  Mr.  Dryden,  of  New  Jersey 55 

Proceedings  in  the  House 63 

Address  of  Mr.  Gardner,  of  New  Jersey 70 

Address  of  Mr.  McClellan,  of  New  York 77 

Address  of  Mr.  Hull,  of  Iowa 79 

Address  of  Mr.  Steele,  of  Indiana 82 

Address  of  Mr.  Stewart,  of  New  Jersey 84 

Address  of  Mr.  Fowler,  of  New  Jersey 87 

Address  of  Mr.  Adams,  of  Pennsylvania 91 

Address  of  Mr.  Parker,  of  New  Jersey 94 


$31,05 


322 


DEATH  OF  RON,  WILLIAM  J,  SEWELL 

PROCEEDINGS  IN  THE  SENATE. 


JANUARY    6,    1902. 

The  Chaplain,  Rev.  \V.  H.  Milburn,  I).  D.,  offered  the  fol 
lowing  prayer: 

O  Thou,  with  whom  are  the" issues  of  life  and  death,  we  are 
in  Thy  presence  bowed,  humble  and  reverent,  as  we  remember 
that  a  chair  upon  this  floor  is  vacant  and  that  an  honored 
member  has  passed  from  among-  us.  Iyet  Thy  compassion  be 
the  succor  and  stay  of  the  wife  and  children  who  are  bereaved 
and  of  the  great  circle  of  friends  by  whom  he  was  loved  and 
whom  he  loved  in  return. 

Xor  would  we  forget,  as  we  come  to  Thee,  Thine  honored 
and  beloved  servant,  the  junior  Senator  from  Arkansas. 
Maintain  his  fortitude  and  flow  of  cheerful  spirits.  Bless  the 
means  used  for  the  relief  of  his  bodilj'  suffering.  Grant  to 
return  him  to  such  health  and  strength  as  he  usually  possesses, 
and  speedily  bring  him  back  with  Thy  benediction  to  his  place 
upon  this  floor. 

These  and  all  other  mercies  we  humbly  ask,  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour.  Amen. 


6  Proceedings  in  the  Senate. 

DEATH    OF   SENATOR    WILLIAM    J.    SEWELL. 

Mr.  KEAN.  Mr.  President,  it  is  my  painful  duty  to  announce 
to  the  Senate  the  death  of  my  colleague,  Gen.  WILLIAM  J. 
SEWELL.  He  died  at  his  home,  in  Camden,  on  December  27, 
at  9  o'clock  and  30  minutes  in  the  morning. 

On  some  other  day  I  shall  ask  that  the  business  of  the  Senate 
be  laid  aside  that  appropriate  tribute  may  be  paid  to  his  mem 
ory.  I  offer  the  following  resolutions,  for  which  I  ask  present 
consideration. 

The  PRESIDENT  pro  tempore.  The  Senator  from  New  Jersey 
offers  the  resolutions  which  he  sends  to  the  desk,  and  asks  for 
their  present  consideration.  The  resolutions  will  be  read. 

The  Secretary  read  the  resolutions,   as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  has  heard  with  deep  regret  and  profound 
sorrow  of  the  death  of  the  Hon.  WII.UAM  J.  SEWEM,,  late  a  Senator  from 
the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  communicate  a  copy  of  these  resolutions 
to  the  House  of  Representatives. 

The  PRESIDENT  pro  tempore.  Will  the  Senate  agree  to  the 
resolutions? 

The  resolutions  were  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Mr.  KEAN.  Mr.  President,  I  also  offer  the  following  resolu 
tion.  % 

The  PRESIDENT  pro  tempore.   The  resolution  will  be  read. 

The  Secretary  read  the  resolution,   as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the 
deceased  the  Senate  do  now  adjourn. 

The  PRESIDENT  pro  tempore.  Will  the  Senate  agree  to  the 
resolution? 

The  resolution  was  unanimously  agreed  to;  and  (at  12 
o'clock  and  8  minutes  p.  m.)  the  Senate  adjourned  until 
to-morrow.  Tuesday,  January  7,  1902,  at  12.  o'clock  meridian. 


Proceedings  in  the  Senate.  J 

JANUARY  7,   1902. 
MESSAGE  FROM  THE  HOUSE. 

The  message  also  transmitted  to  the  Senate  the  resolutions 
of  the  House  on  the  death  of  Hon.  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL, 
late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

DECEMBER  9,   1902. 
MEMORIAL  ADDRESSES   OX   THE   LATE   SENATOR  WILLIAM   J. 

SEWELL. 

Mr.  KEAN.  Mr.  President,  I  desire  to  give  notice  that  on 
Wednesday,  the  iyth  of  December,  at  some  convenient  hour, 
I  shall  submit  resolutions  in  regard  to  the  death  of  my  late 
colleague,  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL,  in  order  that  appropriate 
tribute  may  be  paid  to  his  memory.  Circumstances  have 
been  such  that  I  have  heretofore  been  unable  to  present  the 
resolutions. 


MEMORIAL  ADDRESSES. 

DECEMBER  17,   1902. 

Mr.  KEAX.  Mr.  President,  in  pursuance  of  the  notice  here 
tofore  given,  I  submit  the  resolutions  which  I  send  to  the 
desk. 

The  PRESIDENT  pro  tempore.  The  Senator  from  New  Jersey 
submits  resolutions,  which  will  be  read. 

The  Secretary  read  the  resolutions,   as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  it  is  with  deep  regret  and  profound  sorrow  that  the 
Senate  hears  the  announcement  of  the  death  of  Hon.  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL, 
late  a  Senator  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  extends  to  his  family  and  to  the  people  cf 
the  State  of  New  Jersey  sincere  condolence  in  their  bereavement. 

Resolved,  That,  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased, 
the  business  of  the  Senate  be  now  suspended  to  enable  his  associates 
to  pay  fitting  tribute  to  his  high  character  and  distinguished  services. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  transmit  to  the  family  of  the  deceased  and 
o  the  governor  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey  a  copy  of  these  resolutions, 
with  the  action  of  the  Senate  thereon. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  communicate  these  resolutions  to  the 
House  of  Representatives. 

Resolved,  That  as  an  additional  mark  of  respect,  at  the  conclusion  of 
these  exercises,  the  Senate  do  adjourn. 

The  PRESIDENT  pro  tempore.  Will  the  Senate  agree  to  the 
resolutions? 

The  resolutions  were  unanimouslv  agreed  to. 


io  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  KEAN,  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  Almost  a  twelvemonth  has  rolled  away 
since  the  mortal  remains  of  General  SEWELL  were  conveyed 
to  their  last  resting  place  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  of  Harleigh, 
near  Cam  den,  N.  J.,  and  yet  we  feel  the  loss  that  has  befallen 
his  country  and  his  State  as  if  it  were  but  yesterday. 

We  miss  him  here — that  tall,  soldier-like  form,  which  for 
many  years  held  conspicuous  plac,e  among  us,  the  friend  and 
colleague  to  whose  memory  we  pay  our  tribute  to-day. 

In  his  rise  from  narrow  and  humble  beginning  to  eminence 
and  leadership  General  SEWELL  exemplified  those  qualities  of 
mind  and  heart  which  we  have  come  to  recognize  as  typical 
American.  Gifted  with  resolution,  patience,  firmness,  self- 
reliance,  he  was  destined  to  master  in  time  whatever  task  he 
undertook — to  prove  his  mettle  in  any  field  to  \vhich  duty  or 
opportunity  might  call  him. 

Thoroughness,  constancjT,  and  loyalty  were  his  watchwords. 
His  success  he  owed  to  no  caprice  of  fortune.  He  won  against 
odds;  it  was  the  fruit  of  struggle  and  training — of  capacity 
unfolding  itself  as  opportunity  came — of  that  broad  and  hard 
experience  in  which  our  leaders  in  war,  in  politics,  and  in 
industry  have  almost  all  been  bred. 

To  this  school — the  school  of  Clay,  of  Jackson,  of  Lincoln, 
of  Grant,  of  Garfield,  of  McKinley — WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL 
clearly  belonged.  His  leadership  was  established  under  the 
same  conditions  and  through  the  same  qualities. 

He  was  a  younger  son  of  a  family  of  yeoman  proprietors 
possessing  a  freehold  in  the  parish  of  Sebergham,  Cumber 
land,  England.  His  father  obtained  a  commission  in  the  civil 


Address  of  Mr.  Kean,  of  New  Jersey.  i  r 

service  and  went  to  Castlebar,  county  of  Mayo,  Ireland,  as 
"collector  of  internal  revenues"  for  that  county,  where  he 
married  a  daughter  of  Captain  Joyce,  of  the  Fifth  Regiment 
of  Irish  Dragoon  Guards.  The  Joyce  family  was  of  Protestant 
Scotch-Irish  descent.  Although  General  SEWELL  had  but 
little  Irish  blood  in  his  veins  he  cherished  the  greatest 
affection  for  the  land  of  his  birth  and  early  associations. 

Born  in  1835,  he  was  left  an  orphan  at  an  early  age;  he  fol 
lowed  a  brother  to  the  city  of  New  York.  As  a  youth  he  was 
adventurous  and  romantic,  and  at  the  age  of  18  gave  up  a 
good  bxisiness  opening  in  order  to  enlist  before  the  mast  of  an 
American  merchantman,  the  Flyaway,  sailing  for  Chinese 
ports.  After  an  adventurous  voyage,  on  which  he  distin 
guished  himself  for  courage,  he  returned  to  the  United  States 
as  first  mate  of  that  vessel.  He  engaged  in  several  business 
undertakings,  and  when  the  war  broke  out  he  had  so  many 
friends  he  was  able  to  raise  a  company  of  his  own,  with 
which  he  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  New  Jersey  Volunteers  and 
became  its  captain. 

He  participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  in  which  the  Fifth 
New  Jersey  took  part,  and  in  July,  1862.  was  promoted  to  the 
lieutenant-colonelcy.  He  became  colonel  in  September  of  the 
same  year. 

At  Chancellorsville  he  commanded  the  Second  New  Jersey 
Brigade  and  led  a  timely  and  successful  charge  against  the 
enemy — a  piece  of  soldierly  skill  and  daring  which  won  imme 
diate  recognition,  and  later  was  awarded  a  medal  of  honor  by 
Congress. 

Though  wounded,  he  resumed  his  field  duties  for  the  Gettys 
burg  campaign,  and  on  the  second  day's  fight  at  Gettysburg 
was  in  the  front  line  of  the  Federal  left  wing  so  fiercely 
assaulted  by  Longstreet.  There  he  again  showed  the  greatest 


12  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Scwell. 

gallantry  and  was  again — and  this  time  more  seriously — 
wounded.  From  July  2  to  August  31,  1864,  he  was  retired 
for  disability.  But  entering  the  service  afresh  as  colonel  of  the 
Thirty-eighth  New  Jersey  Volunteers,  he  participated  in  the 
wasting  Virginia  campaign  which  preceded  Lee's  surrender. 

For  meritorious  services  he  received  brevets  both  as  brigadier 
and  as  major  general. 

From  1872  to  the  time  of  his  death  he  devoted  much  labor 
to  organizing  and  strengthening  the  National  Guard  of  New 
Jersey,  bringing  it  to  a  new  and  highly  creditable  level  of 
efficiency. 

Soon  after  the  outbreak  of  the  war  with  Spain,  President 
McKinley  commissioned  him  a  major-general  of  volunteers.  It 
was  his  earnest  wish  to  serve  his  country  again  in  arms,  but 
a  higher  duty  interposed,  and  at  the  earnest  request  of  his 
Republican  colleagues  in  this  body  he  decided  to  decline  the 
appointment  pressed  upon  him.  Many  of  you  will  recall  the 
appeal  that  was  made  to  him  not  to  abandon  his  seat  in  the 
Senate. 

"We  do  this,"  the  letter  read,  "knowing  that  the  appoint 
ment  is  well  merited  by  your  distinguished  military  career  and 
your  genius  for  organization  and  command,  but  we  feel  in  this 
exigency  neither  the  party  nor  the  country  can  forego  in  the 
Senate  the  influence  of  your  experience,  ability,  patriotism,  and 
integrity  in  legislative  service." 

The  fidelity  and  capacity  he  had  shown  as  a  soldier  were  to 
assure  his  success  in  civil  life.  After  being  mustered  out  of  the 
service  he  wa.st.ed  no  time  in  seeking  employment.  The  first 
place  that  offered  was  accepted,  and,  though  not  a  remuner 
ative  one,  proved  to  be  most  fortunate.  It  was  with  the 
Camden  and  Amboy  Railroad,  at  Trenton.  His  great  execu 
tive  ability  in  even  minor  positions  was  quickly  recognized,  and 


Address  of  Mr.  K'ean,  of  A  Vet1  Jersey.  13 

lie  was  sent  to  Camden  as  yardmaster.  Diligence  and  compe 
tence  soon  earned  him  promotion;  he  rose  through  the  various 
grades  to  be  general  superintendent,  vice-president,  and  finally 
president  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  \Yest  Jersey  and  Sea 
shore  Railroad  Company. 

General  SEWELL'S  active  political  career  began  in  1872  with 
his  election  to  the  State  senate  from  Camden  County.  He 
served  three  three-year  terms  in  the  senate,  and  was  its  presi 
dent  while  the  Republican  party  had  control.  He  fathered  the 
resolution  creating  a  commission  to  suggest  amendments  to  the 
State  constitution,  and  led  the  fight  for  their  adoption.  He 
also  took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  passage  of  New  Jersey's 
general  railroad  law  and  of  the  railroad  municipal  tax  and 
municipal  corporation  acts. 

In  1 88 1  he  first  entered  this  body,  having  been  chosen  to 
succeed  the  Hon.  Theodore  F.  Randolph.  Six  years  later  he 
failed  of  reelection,  the  legislature  having  a  Democratic  major 
ity  on  joint  ballot.  But  in  1895  he  regained  his  seat,  succeed 
ing  the  Hon.  John  R.  McPherson.  In  IQOI  he  was  elected  for 
a  third  term,  only  a  fraction  of  which  he  served.  His  last 
appearance  in  this  body  was  at  the  extraordinary  session  called 
by  the  President  which  terminated  March  9,  1901. 

In  his  own  State  he  long  exercised  an  exceptional  influence 
in  party  councils.  He  headed  our  State  delegations  to  the 
Republican  conventions  of  1876,  1880,  1884,  1888,  1892,  1896, 
and  1900,  and  was  New  Jersey's  recognized  spokesman  in  all 
those  gatherings.  His  power  in  the  State  organization  was 
sometimes  disputed,  but  never  overthrown.  On  the  con-  . 
trary,  it  grew  with  time,  for  it  was  based  on  unquestioned 
capacity,  courage,  loyalty,  and  integrity. 

In  all  the  heated  and  prejudiced  struggles  of  faction  no  one 
could  justly  reproach  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  with  a  broken 
promise  or  a  dishonorable  betrayal. 


14  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

Of  his  service  in  this  body  I  need  say  little.  Here,  where 
his  character  was  intimately  known,  his  sterling  virtues  *were 
amply  appreciated.  He  made  few  speeches.  The  part  he 
played  was  not  spectacular.  Yet  the  work  he  did  was  emi 
nently  useful  and  lasting.  His  judgment  on  all  important 
legislation  was  sought  and  valued.  He  was  a  tower  of 
strength  in  council.  His  voice  was  potent  in  all  decisions  011 
legislative  or  party  policy. 

In  manner  General  SEWELL  has  been  charged  with  a  certain 
brusqueness  and  coldness.  There  was  a  hint  of  military  pre 
cision  in  his  attitude.  He  sometimes  carried  directness  to 
the  point  of  bluntness,  but  this  manner  reflected  only  his  own 
deeper  tendencies  of  thought  and  character.  He  believed  in 
openness,  in  candor,  in  plain  speaking  and  straightforward 
action.  He  scorned  concealment  and  indirection,  and  he 
detested  shams  and  insincerity. 

To  all  who  knew  him  intimately  this  surface  roughness 
covered  a  tender  and  generous  heart.  Always  open,  always 
high-minded,  he  won  the  ungrudging  respect  of  his  opponents, 
while  attaching  his  friends  to  him  in  ever-tightening  bonds 
of  trust  and  love. 

His  life  was  gentle,  and  the  elements 

So  mix'd  in  him,  that  Nature  might  stand  up 

And  say  to  all  the  world,  "This  was  a  man!" 


Address  of  Mr.  Cockrell,  of  Missouri.  15 

t 

ADDRESS  OF  MR.  COCKRELL,  OF  MISSOURI. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  It  is  eminently  fitting  that  to-day  the 
Senate  of  the  United  States  of  America  should  lay  aside  its 
legislative  labors  in  order  to  pay  its  last  tribute  of  respect, 
friendship,  and  honor  to  the  memory  of  Hon.  WILLIAM  JOYCE 
SEWELL,  late  a  Senator  in  this  Chamber  from  the  State  of 
New  Jersey. 

General  SEWELL  was  born  December  16,  1835,  in  Ireland, 
came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  18  years,  and  died  at  his 
home  in  Camden,  N.  J.,  December  27,  1901,  respected,  hon 
ored,  and  loved  by  the  good  people  of  his  adopted  State  and 
by  all  who  knew  him  personally  or  knew  of  his  noble,  manly 
character  and  worth.  "A  good  name  is  rather  to  be  chosen 
than  great  riches." 

His  life  record  is  a  brilliant  and  illustrious  one,  worthy  of 
emulation  and  inspiring  and  encouraging  to  those  who  closely 
study  it.  At  the  age  of  18  years,  in  this,  his  adopted  country, 
he  entered  the  arena  for  his  life  work  with  a  sound  body 
and  a  clear,  vigorous  mind;  with  honesty  of  purpose,  fidelity 
in  the  discharge  of  every  duty  and  trust,  great  or  small, 
and  firm  determination  to  achieve  success  honorably  and 
legitimately. 

He  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits;  and  early  after  the 
beginning  of  the  civil  war  in  1861,  being  loyally  and  patriot 
ically  devoted  to  his  adopted  country  and  the  maintenance  of 
the  integrity  of  the  Union  of  the  States,  he  organized  a  com 
pany  of  volunteers  and  was  commissioned  captain  in  the  Fifth 
New  Jersey  Regiment  on  the  a8th  day  of  August,  1861,  and 
served  during  the  entire  war  with  distinguished  gallantry 
and  military  ability. 


1 6  -Life  and  Character^  of  William  J.  Scu'ell. 

On  July  7,  1862,  he  was  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
in  October  of  the  same  year  to  colonel,  and  participated  in 
the  many  battles  in  which  his  regiment  was  engaged,  and 
was  severely  wounded  at  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville  and 
Gettysburg. 

At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville  he  was  commanding  the 
Second  New  Jersey  Brigade  and,  at  a  critical  position,  led 
forward  his  brigade  in  a  daring  charge  and  achieved  one  of  the 
brilliant  successes  of  the  war,  capturing  eight  stands  of  colors. 
For  his  gallant  and  meritorious  services  in  this  battle  he  was 
commissioned  by  brevet  a  brigadier-general  of  United  States 
Volunteers. 

On  July  2,  1864,  he  resigned  as  colonel  on  account  of  the 
disabilities  incurred  in  the  service  in  the  line  of  duty.  As  soon 
as  he  had  partially  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his.  wounds, 
he  again  offered  his  services  to  his  State,  and  was  commis 
sioned  by  the  governor  to  raise  and  organize  the  Thirty-eighth 
Regiment  New  Jersey  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  mustered 
in  as  colonel 'October  i,  1864,  and  with  his  regiment  took  an 
active  part  in  the  operations  about  Petersburg,  Va.,  which 
resulted  in  the  capture  of  Richmond,  Va.,  on  April  2,  1865, 
and  the  surrender  of  General  L,ee  at  Appomattox  on  April  9, 
1865.  With  his  command  he  returned  to  his  home  and  was 
honorably  mustered  out  on  June  30,  1865. 

For  his  gallant  and  meritorious  services  during  the  war  he 
was  brevetted  major-general  March  13,  1865.  In  estimating 
correctly  the  gallantry,  military  abilities,  and  services  shown 
and  rendered  by  General  SEWELI.  from  early  in  1861  to  the 
middle  of  the  year  1865,  we  must  not  forget  the  historical  fact 
that  that  war  was  a  war  lasting  for  four  long  weary  years, 
wherein  the  citizen  soldiers  of  the  Northern  and  Southern 
States  of  our  Union,  the  noblest  and  bravest  soldiers  who  ever 


Address  of  Mr.  Cockrell,  of  Missouri.  17 

faced  each  other  in  martial  array  and  clashed  in  mortal  combat 
in  all  the  history  of  the  world's  wars,  confronted  each  other, 
fearlessly  contesting  every  foot  of  ground  and  covering  the 
field  of  battle  with  dead  and  wounded  on  each  side.  When 
such  soldiers  met  each  other  in  battle  there  was  truly  ' '  the 
tug  of  war,"  testing  to  the  fullest  extent  their  endurance, 
courage,  manhood,  and  devotion. 

It  was  in  such  a  war  that  General  SEWELL  achieved  emi 
nent  distinction  and  rendered  meritorious  services,  justly 
entitling  him  to  the  brevets  of  brigadier-general  and  major- 
general,  United  States  Volunteers,  conferred  upon  him  by 
President  Lincoln.  When  the  war  closed,  in  the  maintenance 
of  the  Union  of  the  States,  General  SEWELL  returned  to  the 
peaceful  avocations  of  civil  life  with  the  same  courage,  patri 
otism,  and  devotion  he  had  so  conspicuously  shown  during 
the  war. 

He  was  that  type  of  American  soldier  whom  his  comrades 
in  arms  respected,  honored,  and  willingly  followed. 

In  civil  life  he  was  that  type  of  American  citizen  whom  his 
fellow-citizens  respected  and  loved  to  honor  and  to  follow. 

As  an  officer  he  was  brave,  strict  in  discipline,  mindful  of 
the  well-being  of  his  men,  and  inspired  them  with  confidence 
and  courage,  and  enjoyed  their  respect  and  love. 

As  a  citizen,  by  his  forceful  character,  great  executive  ability, 
untiring  energy,  incorruptible  integrity,  and  strict  attention 
and  devotion  to  duty  and  to  the  interests  of  his  fellow-citizens, 
he  inspired  their  respect,  confidence,  love,  and  loyal  devotion. 
He  attained  the  highest  honors  which  his  fellow-citizens  could 
confer  upon  him  as  an  American  citizen  by  adoption  and  born 
a  foreigner. 

He  was  three  times  in  succession  elected  a  State  senator  from 
his  home  county,  Camden,  and  was  president  of  the  senate  in 
S.  Doc.  226 2 


1 8  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Scwell. 

1876-1879  and  1880,  when  his  party  was  in  power,  and  while 
a  member  of  his  State  legislature  was  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate  in  1881  to  succeed  Senator  Randolph,  and  served 
in  this  Chamber  to  the  expiration  of  his  term  in  1887. 

Politically  General  SEWELL  was  a  stanch  Republican,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  all  public  and  political  affairs.  He  was 
elected  a  delegate  to  the  Republican  national  conventions  of 
1876,  1880,  1884,  1888,  1892,  1896,  and  1900,  and  was  made 
the  chairman  of  his  State  delegation  in  each  of  the  conventions. 

In  1895  he  was  again  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  to 
succeed  Senator  McPherson,  and  in  1901  he  was  reelected  for 
the  term  beginning  March  4,  1901,  and  ending  March  3,  1907. 

In  addition  to  the  many  duties  of  the  official  positions  he 
held,  he  was  engaged  in  and  connected  with  many  business 
enterprises — banks,  trust  companies,  and  philanthropic  societies. 

He  took  an  active  interest  in  the  organization  of  the  National 
Guard  of  his  State  and  held  high  positions  in  that  organization , 
and  was  the  commander  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

He  was  most  earnestly  interested  in  the  proper  management 
of  the  National  Homes  for  Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers,  and 
was  vice-president  of  the  Board  of  Managers.  He  was  emphat 
ically  a  busy  man  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the  phrase.  His 
energetic  and  earnest  devotion  to  his  multifarious  duties 
doubtless  hastened  his  untimely  death  in  the  meridian  of  his 
usefulness  and  honors. 

The  respect,  the  friendship,  the  love,  and  devotion  of  his 
constituents,  neighbors,  and  associates  were  made  most  manifest 
at  his  funeral  obsequies.  The  people  en  masse  turned  out  to 
pay  their  last  tribute  to  his  memory.  It  was  a  most  impres 
sive  scene.  The  religious  services  were  conducted  at  his 
residence  by  Bishop  Scarborough,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  General  SEWELL  was  a  member  of  the  vestry. 


Address  of  Mr.  Cockrdl,  of  Missouri.  19 

My  acquaintance  with  him  began  when  he  entered  the  Senate 
in  1 88 1  and  became  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Military 
Affairs.  Our  acquaintance  soon  ripened  into  warm  personal 
friendship,  which  continued  to  his  death.  The  more  I  was 
with  him  and  the  more  I  knewT  of  him,  the  greater  were  my 
respect,  admiration,  and  friendship  for  him. 

In  his  bearing  General  SEWELL  was  quiet,  reserved,  and 
unassuming,  and  was  cordial  and  faithful  in  his  friendships. 

As  a  Senator  he  was  faithful,  industrious,  and  useful,  and 
performed  his  full  share  of  the  duties  and  labors  of  the  Com 
mittees  on  Appropriations  and  Military  Affairs  and  others  of 
which  he  was  a  member.  In  his  death  the  Senate,  his  State, 
and  our  country  have  suffered  a  serious  loss.  We  tender  to 
his  bereft  family  condolence,  and  point  our  countrymen  to 
the  useful  life,  the  meritorious  services,  and  the  illustrious 
career  of  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL,  the  citizen,  the  soldier,  the 
statesman,  the  patriot,  for  encouragement,  inspiration,  and 
emulation. 


2O  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Scivcll. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  ALLISON,  OF  IOWA. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  The  senior  Senator  from  New  Jersey  [Mr. 
Kean]  and  the  senior  Senator  from  Missouri  [Mr.  Cockrell] 
having  detailed  at  large  the  military  career  and  the  civil  service 
of  the  late  Senator  SEWELL,  I  shall  only  review  them  briefly. 

My  personal  acquaintance  with  General  SEWEU,  began  in 
1881,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the  Senate.  Prior  to  that 
time  he  was  well  known  to  me  as  a  leading  citizen  of  the  State 
of  New  Jersey  and  as  one  of  the  earnest,  active,  and  influential 
Republicans  of  that  State.  He  was  widely  known  as  a  great 
and  gallant  soldier,  as  a  conspicuous  member  of  the  New  Jersey 
senate  for  man}'  years,  and  as  a  potential  factor  in  the  political 
and  commercial  affairs  of  that  State.  He  had  been  an 
important  member  of  two  Presidential  conventions  and  had 
taken  an  active  part  in  their  deliberations;  and  as  a  leading 
Republican  he  was  well  known  in  nearly  all  the  States  of  the 
Union.  Therefore  when  he  came  to  the  Senate  he  was  by  no 
means  a  stranger  to  those  then  serving  in  this  body,  and 
enough  was  known  of  his  capabilities  to  anticipate  the  value  of 
his  service  here,  for  it  is  a  fact  that  when  a  Senator  is  first 
elected  to  this  body  there  is  as  a  rule  a  careful  analysis  made 
by  Senators  of  his  record  in  civil  or  military  life,  in  order  that 
a  just  estimate  may  be  formed  of  his  prospective  value  in  this 
Chamber. 

After  what  has  been  said  by  the  Senators  who  have  preceded 
me  it  is  not  necessary  that  I  should  dwell  at  length  upon  the 
active  participation  of  Senator  SEWELL  in  the  affairs  of  the 
State  of  New  Jersey,  upon  the  great  ability  displayed  by  him 
as  a  business  man  in  the  conduct  of  large  affairs  in  his  State, 
or  upon  his  distinguished  record  in  the  civil  war.  Because  of 


Address  of  Mr.  Allison,  of  Iowa.  21 

his  special  knowledge  of  military  affairs,  immediately  on  his 
entry  into  the  Senate  he  was  placed  upon  the  important  Com 
mittee  on  Military  Affairs.  During  the  entire  period  of  his 
service  in  this  bod}'  he  remained  a  member  of  that  committee 
and  participated  actively,  as  those  who  served  with  him  well 
know,  in  the  framing  of  all  the  legislation  considered  and 
promulgated  by  it.  At  his  death  he  was  the  ranking  member 
of  that  committee  next  to  the  chairman.  As  is  well  known  to 
us  all,  he  was  especially  conspicuous  in  the  military  legislation 
made  necessary  by  the  wrar  with  Spain.  His  services  were  so 
highly  appreciated  by  the  President  that  he  tendered  him  a 
military  command,  with  the  rank  of  major-general.  He  was 
inclined  to  accept  this  distinction,  but  because  of  his  valuable 
services  on  the  committee  and  in  the  Senate  at  this  critical 
period,  at  the  unanimous  request  of  the  Republican  Senators 
then  here,  he  declined  the  proffered  honor. 

Owing  to  the  political  situation  in  New  Jersey  he  failed  of 
reelection  to  the  Senate  in  1887,  though  he  was  the  unanimous 
choice  of  his  part}',  and  his  friends  made  a  vigorous  effort  to 
secure  his  reelection.  His  defeat  was  occasioned  by  the  legis 
lature  being  closely  divided  between  the  two  great  political 
parties.  Again,  in  the  winter  of  1895,  he  was  the  unanimous 
choice  of  his  party  for  Senator  and  was  then  elected,  and 
reelected  in  1901,  so  that  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  on 
the  threshold  of  his  third  term  in  the  Senate. 

There  being  a  vacancy  in  the  Republican  membership  of  the 
Committee  on  Appropriations,  Senator  SEWELI,  was  appointed 
a  member  of  that  committee  in  March,  1897,  because  of  his 
general  and  special  knowledge  of  matters  coming  before  it, 
especially  because  of  his  long  service  here,  because  of  his 
intimate  knowledge,  of  all  subjects  relating  to  military  matters 
and  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army,  and  also 


22  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

because  of  his  extensive  knowledge  of  all  matters  connected 
with  the  National  Homes  for  Disabled  Volunteer  Soldiers,  of 
the  Board  of  Managers  of  which,  selected  by  the  two  Houses 
of  Congress,  he  was  an  active  member.  His  sympathy  for  his 
comrades  in  arms  and  his  desire  to  makes  these  Homes  effective 
for  the  comfortable  support  of  the  veterans  admitted  to  them 
led  him  to  give  particular  attention  to  this  subject. 

He  spent  much  time  in  this  labor  of  love,  making  at  least 
two  visits  annually  to  each  of  the  Homes;  and  during  several 
years  he  had  general  charge  of  one  of  the  most  important  of 
them.  He  made  their  cause  his  own,  and  was  so  familiar 
with  ever}r  detail  respecting  their  wants  that  his  recommenda 
tions  were,  as  a  rule,  followed  by  the  committee  and  by  the 
Senate.  This  was  because  of  his  special  information  and 
experience  and  the  confidence  of  his  associates  in  his  judg 
ment.  This  was  true  not  only  as  respects  all  appropriations 
involving  military  affairs,  but  his  views  had  great  weight  in 
the  Senate  upon  all  matters  which  engaged  his  serious 
attention.  He  proved  himself  a  most  valuable  member  of 
the  Committee  on  Appropriations,  giving  close  attention  to 
the  detailed  work  assigned  to  him.  He  was  at  all  times  a 
safe  counselor  and  a  wise  and  judicious  legislator. 

Whilst  an  earnest  Republican,  he  often  differed  with  his 
Republican  colleagues  upon  matters  of  detail,  and  on  such 
occasions  was  resolute  and  independent  in  the  expression  of  his 
opinions  in  committee  and  in  the  Senate.  Keen  of  perception 
and  with  a  broad  and  thorough  knowledge  of  affairs,  he  imme 
diately  grasped  the  essential  points  of  a  proposition.  He 
possessed  the  faculty  of  rapid  deduction;  was  quick  to  make 
up  his  opinion  respecting  a  question  under  consideration,  and 
when  made  was  slow  to  surrender  his  own  judgment  to 
others. 


Address  of  Mr.  Allison,  of  Iowa.  23 

Senator  SEWELL  was  a  man  of  comparatively  few  words.  It 
was  generally  understood  that  he  said  only  what  he  meant 
and  meant  always  what  he  said.  His  opinions  were  expressed 
with  force  and  directness  and  were  susceptible  of  no  misinter 
pretation. 

It  may  be  truly  said  of  him  that  he  was  a  most  able,  valu 
able,  and  useful  Senator,  not  only  in  the  committee  room,  but 
on  the  floor,  and  was,  therefore,  of  great  sendee  to  his  State 
and  nation.  His  death  is  a  distinct  loss  to  his  country,  and 
is  greatly  deplored  by  all  those  who  served  with  him  in  this 
body. 

The  home  life  of  Senator  SEWELL  was  ideal  in  its  hospitalit}* 
and  surroundings.  Socially  he  was  always  most  agreeable, 
courteous,  and  kind  to  those  with  whom  he  came  in  personal 
contact.  He  enjoyed  especially  the  companionship  of  old  com 
rades  and  friends  and  greatly  endeared  himself  to  them.  For 
these  agreeable  personal  qualities  I  became  strongly  attached 
to  him,  and  because  of  them  and  because  of  his  conspicuous 
public  service  and  his  high  character  as  a  citizen  and  Senator 
it  is  fitting  that  I  should  take  this  occasion  to  pay  this  brief 
but  imperfect  tribute  to  his  memory,  having  served  with  him 
and  known  him  well  during  all  the  period  of  his  membership 
in  this  body. 


24  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  MORGAN,  OF  ALABAMA. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  Although  Senator  SEWELL  was  severely 
antagonized  to  my  State  and  the  South  during  the  civil  war, 
and  was  opposed  to  me  in  our  political  affiliations  during 
the  period  of  our  service  in  the  Senate,  there  were  many 
points  on  which  we  were  in  cordial  agreement.  This  is 
especially  true  as  to  almost  every  question  that  concerned  our 
relations  with  foreign  countries  during  our  joint  service  in  the 
Senate. 

I  have  always  felt  stronger  in  having  the  support  of  his 
opinion  and  his  wise  judgment,  which  usually  amounted  to  a 
firm  conviction,  when  any  measure  was  presented  that  taxed 
me  with  perplexing  doubts.  In  this  just  confidence  in  his 
sincerity  and  wisdom  I  believe  that  I  only  shared  the  opinion 
of  the  entire  Senate. 

During  several  years  we  were  closely  associated  as  members 
of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Interoceanic  Canals. 

In  the  personnel  of  that  committee  the  majority  were 
Republicans,  and,  as.  chairman,  I  would  have  had  a  disagree 
able  task  if  any  party  lines  had  affected  the  conduct  of  its 
members  as  to  the  great  and  delicate  questions  confided  to  the 
committee  by  the  Senate. 

This  is  a  fitting  occasion,  I  think,  to  say  that  no  bod}'  of 
Senators  could  have  more  completely  discarded  all  political 
influence  from  their  thoughts  and  actions,  or  could  have 
devoted  their  labors  to  the  service  of  the  whole  country  more 
impartially,  than  has  been  true  of  that  committee  in  perform 
ing  the  exacting  and  difficult  task  assigned  to  them  by  the 
Senate.  And  I  am  glad  to  say,  in  honor  of  our  departed 
colleague,  that  his  thoughtful  and  laborious  work  on  that 


Address  of  Mr.  .If organ,  of  Alabama.  25 

committee  and  his  wise  counsel  were  among  the  strongest 
supports  of  the  supreme  duty  that  Providence  has  assigned 
to  the  United  States,  of  providing  a  highway  for  the  nations 
between  the  great  oceans. 

He  was  very  proud  to  be  associated  with  this  work,  that 
only  the  United  States  can  perform,  and  deserves  the  highest 
honors  that  its  final  completion  will  confer  upon  those  who 
shall  accomplish  it. 

The  subject  was  as  broad  as  the  ocean -borne  commerce  of 
the  whole  world,  and  the  naval  power  of  the  United  States  and 
those  intrusted  with  its  exploration  were  required  to  proceed 
with  caution,  but  with  bold  and  fearless  step,  to  reach  conclu 
sions  that  are  logically  safe  and  will  be  practically  secure  for 
all  time.  But  this  honest  and  able  Senator  was  equal  to  the 
duty  and  fearless  in  its  discharge.  The  benefit  of  his  work  on 
that  committee  will  be  felt  through  many  ages  to  come. 

In  this  service  and  in  all  else  that  was  confided  to  him  General 
SEWELL  exhibited  a  mental  trait  which  was  a  distinguishing 
characteristic.  He  always  looked  within  for  his  convictions 
and  opinions,  and  outwardly  for  the  facts  upon  which  he 
based  them. 

He  did  not  disregard  or  hold  in  light  esteem  the  opinions 
of  other  men,  but  his  judgment  was  his  own;  he  borrowed 
nothing  from  currents  of  thought  in  other  minds,  and  no 
reflected  color  of  selfishness  was  permitted  to  stain  the  clean 
record  of  his  final  judgments. 

He  was  not  aggressive  in  pressing  his  opinions  on  others, 
but  he  defended  his  own  convictions  with  decided  firmness. 

There  was  a  directness,  force,  and  singleness  of  purpose  in  his 
action  in  respect  of  public  affairs  that  engaged  his  attention 
which  left  no  doubt  of  his  sincerity,  and  a  clearness  of  concep 
tion  as  to  his  duty,  as  he  understood  it,  that  forced  him  into 


26  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell,    . 

open  controversy  in  support  of  his  convictions  with  fearless 
intrepidity.  It  was  not  his  adversary  with  whom  he  waged 
any  conflict  of  debate,  but  with  his  adversary's  position  or  the 
principles  he  espoused.  So  that  in  the  fiercest  controversy 
he  indulged  in  no  personalities  or  invectives,  and  in  his  most 
strenuous  debates  he  wounded  no  man's  feelings  and  never 
made  an  enemy.  This  is  a  noble  trait,  a  very  great  mark  of 
true  manhood  that  should  characterize  the  bearing  and  deport 
ment  of  an  American  Senator. 

General  SEWELL  has  left  with  us  the  memory  of  a  high 
example  in  his  dignified  and  honorable  course  in  this  Chamber. 
His  Irish  blood  fed  a  passionate  flame  that  warmed  his  heart, 
quickened  his  spirit,  and  drew  his  affections  to  high  aims  and 
generous  actions. 

His  friendships  had  the  honest  and  sincere  loyalty  of  love. 
They  were  honorable  and  ennobling,  and  were  never  used  for 
convenience  or  subordinated  to  personal  advantage  or  unworthy 
ends. 

He  was  a  \vealthy  and  powerful  man,  but  he  did  not  court 
the  favor  of  the  rich  or  the  support  of  the  powerful  at  any 
expense  whatever  to  his  dignity  or  his  principles. 

He  never  used  his  wealth  or  power  for  the  oppression  of  the 
weak  or  the  poor,  nor  did  he,  with  a  flaunting  display  of  gener 
osity,  graciously  condescend  to  help  them.  His  generous  Irish 
blood  gave  a  natural  flow  to  his  sympathies,  and  he  met  the 
poor  and  the  weak  with  the  hand  of  friendship  that  was  never 
empty  or  grudging  and  very  many  have  grasped  it  in  silent, 
tearful  gratitude. 

As  a  soldier  he  was  even  rashly  courageous.  He  did  not 
stop  to  study  strategic  arts  of  war  when  the  enemy  was  in 
array  against  his  flag. 

His  movement  was  to  the  front,  and  he  touched  elbows  with 


Address  of  Mr.  Morgan,  of  Alabama.  27 

his  men  as  he  marched  steadily  into  the  deadliest  conflict.  He 
did  not  rejoice  in  battle,  and  was  not  lured  by  the  ambition  for 
victories;  but  he  could  not  fail  to  respond  to  a  call  of  duty 
because  death  was  reaping  its  harvests  from  the  field  of  battle. 
He  was  as  gallant  a  soldier  as  any  who  fell  or  any  who  sur 
vived  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  and  a  higher  title  to  a 
soldier's  chaplet  of  honor  no  man  can  win. 

Senator  SEWELL  left  a  record  here  of  duty  well  and  faithfully 
performed  that  will  long  be  referred  to  as  a  marked  example  of 
high  Senatorial  character,  and  will  confer  lasting  and  special 
honor  upon  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 


28  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sew  ell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  CULLOM,  OF  ILLINOIS. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  With  sadness  I  join  with  other  members 
of  the  Senate  in  paying  tribute  to  the  memory  of  our  late 
colleague,  Senator  SEWELL. 

The  majority  of  the  members  of  this  body  knew  him  well. 
To  know  him  was  to  admire  him.  He  was  a  splendid  citizen,  a 
gallant  soldier,  an  able  statesman.  He  was  a  remarkable  man, 
of  unusual  power  and  singleness  of  purpose,  open-hearted, 
outspoken,  and  never  hesitated  to  condemn  what  he  deemed 
to  be  wrong  or  to  approve  what  he  believed  to  be  right. 

Senator  SEWELL  for  many  years  possessed  great  influence  in 
his  State,  and  was  equally  great  in  the  Senate  and  generally 
in  the  councils  of  the  nation.  He  had  rare  good  judgment, 
which  is  the  one  necessary  element  of  success  (whatever  may 
be  a  man's  other  qualities  or  acquirements),  in  the  proper 
discharge  of  private  or  public  duty. 

Mr.  President,  Senator  SEWELL  made  a  splendid  reputation 
in  the  field  as  a  soldier  during  the  civil  war  and  at  home  in 
New  Jersey  in  the  management  of  private  business  and  as  the 
leader  of  his  party  for  many  years  before  he  came  to  the 
Senate  in  iSSi.  He  was  a  positive  man,  and  did  not  at  any 
time  shrink  from  any  contest.  He  was  an  honorable  oppo 
nent,  and  when  he  gave  blows  he  expected  and  was  willing  to 
receive  them  in  return. 

Senator  SEWELL  was  not  willing  to  surrender  or  compromise 
when  he  was  sure  he  was  right.  He  was  for  the  right  for 
right's  sake.  He  wras  a  man  of  energy,  and  in  the  business 
walks  of  life  he  was  in  the  habit  of  doing  things,  and  could 
see  from  day  to  day  and  week  to  week  that  he  was  accom 
plishing  his  purpose. 


Address  of  Mr.  Cull  urn,  of  Illinois.  29 

The  business  of  the  Senate,  when  compared  with  the  large 
business  enterprises  with  which  Senator  SEWELL  was  familiar, 
moves  slowly.  After  he  had  been  in  the  Senate  a  short  time 
he  became  restless  and  felt  that  he  was  not  accomplishing  very 
much,  and  while  chafing  under  such  feeling  on  one  occasion 
he  said  to  me,  "When  I  was  in  private  life,  engaged  in  busi 
ness,  I  felt  that  I  was  doing  something  for  my  family  and  the 
community  in  which  I  live;  when  I  was  a  soldier  in  the  Union 
Army,  I  felt  that  I  was  helping  to  save  the  Union  and  the 
flag;  but  since  I  have  been  in  the  Senate,  I  do  not  feel  that  I 
am  doing  any  good  whatever. 

However,  Senator  SEWELL  was  very  soon  recognized  as  one 
of  the  strong  men  in  the  Senate,  and  found  himself  sought 
after  and  consulted  on  all  difficult  and  important  measures.  He 
did  not  like  to  talk,  and  sometimes  seemed  wearv  of  longf 

o 

speeches  by  other  Senators.  He  seldom  addressed  the  Senate, 
but  when  he  did  he  had  something  to  say,  which  he  said  in  the 
fewest  words  possible  in  order  to  present  the  facts  and  make  his 
views  plain. 

It  is  said  that  brevity  is  the  soul  of  wit.  Xo  man  ever  demon 
strated  it  more  perfectly  in  the  Senate. 

As  a  legislator,  Senator  SEWELL  did  not  stop  to  theorize. 
He  saw  the  situation  and  determined  upon  his  duty  and  with 
courage  performed  it.  He  was-  the  architect  of  his  own 
fortune.  He  was,  as  has  been  said  by  the  senior  Senator 
from  New  Jersey,  a  native  of  Ireland;  but,  like  thousands  of 
others  from  that  unfortunate  island  who  came  to  our  shores, 
showed  himself,  when  his  adopted  country  called,  ready  to  offer 
his  life  in  defense  of  liberty  and  the  Union. 

He  cared  nothing  for  show.  He  believed  in  plain  living.  He 
was  a  modest  man,  as  most  brave  men  are.  His  health  failed 
him  in  the  last  years  of  his  service  here,  and  while  believing 


30  Life  and  Character  of    William  J.  Sewcll. 

that  death  was  "  waiting  at  the  door,"  he  struggled  ou  until  at 
last  the  end  came,  and  he  passed  away. 

Mr.  President,  it  seems  to  me  that  I  am  constantly  standing 
in  the  shadow  of  death — death  in  the  family,  death  in  the 
Senate.  No  class,  age,  or  rank  can  long  escape  the  great 
destroyer. 

Senator  SEWELL  lived  in  this  his  adopted  country  for  more 
than  sixty  years.  He  witnessed  its  growth  and  prosperity.  He 
took  part  in  that  momentous  struggle  in  which  the  life  of  the 
nation  was  involved.  He  witnessed  in  that  struggle  the  down 
fall  of  slavery  and  rejoiced  in  its  disappearance  from  our  fair 
land.  He  saw  how  when  the  war  ended  the  nation  sprang 
forth  as  with  a  bound  into  new  life  and  wealth  and  power.  He 
lived  to  see  this  country  increase  in  wealth  and  influence  among 
the  nations  as  no  other  has  done  in  centuries.  What  a  satisfac 
tion  to  him  to  feel  in  his  last  days  upon  earth  that  he  had  done 
his  part  in  maintaining  the  Union  and  in  consecrating  it  anew 
upon  the  enduring  foundations  of  liberty  and  equality. 

Some  one  has  said  that  he  is  great  who  is  what  he  is  from 
nature  and  who  never  reminds  us  of  others.  The  subject  of 
this  memorial  service  to  my  mind  comes  within  that  definition. 

Mr.  President,  I  close  what  I  have  to  say  by  stating  that 
I  have  not  known  in  my  experience  a  more  conscientious 
citizen,  soldier,  and  statesman,  or  better  friend  than  Senator 
WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL. 


Address  of  Mr.  Proctor,  of  Vermont.  31 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  PROCTOR,  OF  VERMONT. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  sit  next  to 
Senator  SEWELL  in  the  Military  Committee  room  during  the 
entire  time  of  his  service  since  he  last  came  into  the  Senate. 
He  was  very  regular  in  his  attendance  at  the  meetings  of 
the  committee;  it  is  needless  to  say  a  good  worker  on  all 
matters  of  business  before  us.  No  man  at  the  table  was 
better  equipped  than  he  for  the  consideration  of  all  questions 
pertaining  to  the  Army.  His  eminent  service  during  the  civil 
war,  his  natural  bent  for  military  affairs,  his  strong  judgment 
and  earnest  devotion  to  the  good  of  his  country,  especially 
qualified  him  for  the  performance  of  his  duties  on  that  com 
mittee.  And  he  was  resolute  and  forceful  in  their  discharge. 
That  there  was  never  any  doubt  as  to  where  he  stood  on  any 
question,  nor  that  he  would  stand  there  to  the  end,  goes 
without  saying.  He  was  sturdy  and  strong,  mentally,  physic- 
all}7,  and  in  natural  temperament.  Courage  and  constancy 
were  leading  traits  of  his  character.  These  qualities  made  him 
a  born  soldier  of  the  highest  type,  but  not  for  the  tinsel  and 
show  of  military  service.  But  when  the  welfare  of  the  country 
was  at  stake  his  intense  loyalty  was  aroused  and  he  was  filled 
with  the  inspiration  of  combat.  His  entire  military  career  was 
especially  creditable,  but  his  great  charge  at  Chancellorsville  at 
the  head  of  the  Second  New  Jersey  Brigade,  \vhen  he  captured 
nine  stands  of  colors,  stands  out  as  most  glorious,  and  for  this 
he  was  awarded  a  medal  of  honor.  Here  he  was  on  the 
offensive,  and  his  work  was  dashing  and  brilliant.  But  had 
the  occasion  arisen  for  a  desperate  defense  of  a  position,  no 
soldier  would  have  met  the  situation  better  than  General 
SEWELL.  He  would  have  stood  like  a  rock.  No  matter  what 


32  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Seu'ell. 

the  odds,  surrender  would  never  have  occurred  to  him  as  a 
possibility  to  be  considered.  Surrender  was  a  word  not  found 
in  his  vocabulary. 

In  legislation  he  was  wisely  conservative,  but  not  retro 
gressive,  and  an  earnest  believer  in  the  future  of  his  country. 
His  judgment  on  military  matters  seemed  almost  intuitive. 
My  seat  next  to  his  gave  me  the  benefit  of  his  aside  remarks. 
"That  will  never  do"  was  a  frequent  one,  when  an  objection 
able  measure  was  brought  up.  But,  though  instantaneous  in 
his  decision  to  oppose,  he  was  calm,  deliberate,  and  methodical 
in  acting  upon  it.  And  in  these  asides  there  was  often  a  vein 
of  rare  humor,  in  which  he  seldom  indulged  publicly,  but  in 
which  his  well-rounded  character  was  not  deficient,  though 
it  might  have  seemed  so  to  the  casual  observer.  Take  him 
all  in  all,  measure  his  life  and  work  by  our  best  standards, 
and  there  are  few  who  will  take  rank  for  sterling  manhood, 
for  great  endeavor  and  achievements,  for  ripe  judgment  and 
vigorous  common  sense,  with  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL. 


Address  of  Mr.  Daniel,  of  I'irginia.  33 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  DANIEL,  OF  VIRGINIA. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  In  common  with  his  colleagues,  I  had 
great  respect  for  Gen.  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL,  of  New  Jersey, 
late  one  of  the  Senators  of  that  State  in  this  body,  and  with 
them  I  deplore  his  loss  to  his  State,  his  country,  and  the 
Senate.  He  was  a  manly  man,  of  strong  convictions  and 
strong  sense,  and  of  great  activity  and  usefulness,  and  he  pos 
sessed  man}*  qualities  that  attracted  the  affection  of  friends  and 
the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  men  everywhere.  The  many 
positions  of  responsibility,  both  of  private  and  public  trust, 
that  he  held  and  the  acceptable  manner  in  which  he  dis 
charged  them  bespoke  his  great  ability  and  force  of  character, 
while  the  frequency  of  his  election  to  office,  both  State  and 
Federal,  demonstrated  the  favorable  judgment  pronounced 
upon  him  by  the  people  of  the  great  and  progressive  State 
who  knew  him  best. 

New  Jersey  is  a  Commonwealth  in  which  the  ' '  isms  ' '  have 
found  but  little  entertainment  and  which  deserves  the  charac 
terization  of  ' '  conservative  "  in  the  best  sense  of  that  term.  I 
say  in  the  best  sense,  because  the  word  "  conservative  "  is  often 
abused  and  emplo^-ed  as  a  shelter  of  indecision,  of  neutrality, 
or  of  time-serving.  General  SEWELL,  like  the  State  which  he 
represented,  was  conservative  in  the  best  and  highest  sense  of 
that  word. 

His  career  was  indeed  a  remarkable  one.  It  was  such  as 
could  pertain  only  to  an  extraordinary  man  and  an  extraor 
dinary  country.  His  lines  in  life  and  my  own  were  far  apart 
and  generally  far  different.  He  was  born  in  Ireland;  I  in 
the  oldest  settlement  of  the  English  race  in  America.  He  was 
an  active  man  of  affairs — merchant,  railroad  president,  and 
S.  Doc.  226 \ 


34  Lift*  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

business  man;  I,  a  local  lawyer.  He,  in  settling  in  Xe\v  Jer 
sey  at  an  early  day  became  identified  with  his  adopted  State 
and  perforce  of  his  environment  was  imbued  with  all  the  pre 
dominant  ideas  of  the  Northern  people.  I,  rooted  to  the  soil  of 
my  fathers,  was  by  nativity,  heredity,  education,  and  environ 
ment  alike  imbued  with  the  ideas  that  had  been  born  in  the 
birth  and  has  grown  with  the  growth  of  the  pioneers  of  our 
race  and  of  our  free  and  independent  American  institutions. 
But  these  things  with  right-thinking  men  and  with  right- 
feeling  men  have  never  been  a  bar  either  to  admiration  or  con 
fidence  or  friendship,  and  there  were  many  aspects  and  rela 
tions  in  which  we  met  on  most  congenial  ground. 

He  had  in  part  represented  here  one  of  the  old  thirteen 
States  that  founded  this  Union  and  which  had  many  ancient 
and  historic  and  friendly  ties  with  my  own.  He  was  a 
thoroughgoing  and  enthusiastic  American,  and  he  had  been  a 
soldier — a  soldier  of  such  qualities  as  always  commands  the 
admiration  of  all  true  soldiers.  So  American  was  he  that 
there  was  nothing  in  his  appearance,  manner,  bearing,  lan 
guage,  convictions,  or  expressions  by  which  anyone  would 
suppose  that  he  was  not  "to  the  manner  born,"  and  anyone 
who  would  utter  in  his  presence  a  sentiment  of  patriotism,  of 
principle,  or  of  generosity  would  be  sure  to  strike  a  responsive 
chord  in  his  bosom. 

I  never  knew  General  SEWELL  until  I  met  him  here  and  was 
never  thrown  with  him  in  intimate  social  relation,  but  I  was 
often  brought  in  personal  intercourse  and  consultation  with  him 
in  our  service  in  this  body,  especially  pending  the  Spanish- 
American  war  and  the  legislation  therewith  connected,  when 
his  position  as  a  leading  member  of  the  Committee  on  Military 
Affairs  gave  great  importance  and  far-reaching  consequence  to 
his  labors.  Those  labors  were  great,  they  were  valuable,  and 


.-Iddrcss  of  Mr.  Daniel,  of   Virginia.  35 

they  were  highly  distinguished.  They  were  supported  by  his 
natural  fervent  energy,  by  his  familiarity  with  military  affairs, 
which  had  been  constantly  refreshed  by  his  performance 
of  duty  in  New  Jersey  as  major-general  commanding  the 
National  Guard  of  that  State.  They  were  also  no  little  aided 
by  his  experience  in  the  civil  war,  where  he  rose  from  the 
rank  of  captain  in  the  Fifth  New  Jersey  Infantry  to  be  a 
brigadier-general  and  then  a  major-general. 

In  that  war  he  and  I  were  in  opposing  armies,  which  tested 
each  other's  steel  in  more  than  six  hundred  battles,  and 
some  of  those  battles  were  among  the  fiercest,  bloodiest,  and 
greatest  in  soldiership  and  in  generalship  alike  which  are 
known  to  human  history. 

In  that  war  Americans  of  all  sections  achieved  a  respect  for 
each  other  by  those  qualities  which  command  and  which  compel 
respect  and  relegated  to  the  rear  narrowness  and  bigotry,  to 
be  replaced  by  confidence  and  friendship.  A  most  glorious 
achievement ! 

General  SEWELL  wore  upon  his  body  the  scars  of  Chancellors- 
ville  and  Gettysburg  and  had  attached  to  his  name  the  highest 
decorations  that  a  brave  soldier  can  win.  None  respect  more 
such  honorable  distinctions,  won  in  such  manner  as  he  won 
them,  than  the  men  who  fought  against  him,  and  none  can 
know  better  than  they  what  they  counted  for  and  what  they 
cost  him. 

For  myself,  I  respected  him  beyond  what  those  distinctions 
themselves  either  expressed  or  implied,  first,  because  he 
appeared  to  me  to  value  them  more  than  he  valued  the 
many  honors  he  had  attained  in  political  life  and  more  than 
he  valued  his  manifold  successes  in  business,  which  had 
brought  him  fortune;  and  second,  because  I  never  heard  him 
say  a  word  or  saw  him  show  a  sign  of  prejudice,  resentment, 


36  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Seivell. 

or  animosity  toward  the  equally  brave  and  patriotic  men 
who  had  encountered  him.  On  the  contrary,  I  know  the 
fact  that  he  took  keen  and  earnest  interest  in  urging  honors 
for  ex-Confederate  soldiers  who  volunteered  in  the  Spanish- 
American  war,  and  that  it  gave  him  profound  gratification  to 
see  them  intrusted  with  the  flag  of  our  country  and  to  show 
them  the  fitting  distinctions  deserved  by  those  who  bear 
it  well. 

Such  things  as  these  betokened  to  my  mind  more  clearly  and 
more  decisively  the  true  soldier  and  the  true  patriot  than  any 
title  or  any  medal  of  honor;  and  I  record  here,  as  it  were 
standing  by  his  tomb,  the  grateful  appreciation  which  I  feel 
and  which  will  be  felt  not  only  in  the  South,  but  throughout 
the  borders  of  the  Union.  My  observation  and  experience 
alike  have  taught  me  that  in  these  respects  General  SEWELL 
was  like  the  best  and  the  most  of  the  soldiers  of  all  parts  of 
America.  Those  who  have  the  rankest  and  most  unbridled 
tongues  have  seldom,  indeed,  become  the  heaviest  of  the 
burden  bearers.  Those  who  have  borne  the  burdens  of  the 
battle  have  shown  the  least  degree  of  grudge  against  those 
who  bore  such  burdens  against  them;  have  rarel}-,  indeed,  if 
ever,  used  belittling  terms  concerning  them,  and  have  always 
been  the  readiest,  the  heartiest,  and  the  most  cogent  forces 
of  restoration,  conciliation,  order,  peace,  and  friendship. 

In  the  travail  of  woman  man  is  born  upon  the  earth.  So  in 
the  travail  of  mind  is  knowledge  wrested  from  ignorance,  and 
in  the  travail  of  both  bod}'  and  soul  are  the  nations  molded 
under  God's  providence  and  lifted  up  to  higher  and  purer  and 
better  things.  The  dead  soldier  and  statesman  whom  we 
mourn  to-day  and  to  whom  \ve  say  our  last  farwell  bore  his 
part  like  a  true  man  in  the  heavy  travail  of  his  day  and 
generation;  survived  to  share  the  joys  of  victory,  to  promote 


Address  of  Mr.  Daniel,  of  Virginia.  37 

and  welcome  the  dawn  of  a  broader  and  brighter  day,  to  see 
the  new  generation  come  afield  "and  in  mutual  well-beseeming 
ranks  march  all  one  way." 

And  so  his  life  was  crowned  with  such  fullness  of  achieve 
ment  and  satisfaction  as  should  content  the  reasonable  ambition 
and  hope  of  man.  We  may  rejoice  that  the  infirmities  of  age 
had  not  bereft  him  of  his  faculties  ere  life  closed,  and  that  such 
scenes  as  those  which  his  heart  craved  and  had  yearned  for 
were  before  his  vision.  Giving  his  body  to  the  dust  and  his 
memory  to  his  grateful  country,  we  pray  that  He  who  alone 
can  heal  may  heal  the  wounded  hearts  of  his  family  and  of 
those  who  knew  him  best  and  loved  him  most. 


Life  and  Character  oj   William  J.  Seicell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  WARREN,  OF  WYOMING, 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  If  I  were  asked  to  name  the  dominating 
power  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  I  would  say  it  is 
the  irresistible  influence  which  has  come  to  us  as  a  legacy 
from  former  members  who  have  passed  away. 

Whatever  this  legislative  body  has  of  patriotism,  of  dignity, 
of  devotion  to  duty,  of  methods  for  the  general  good,  is  due 
in  great  measure  to  the  ideals  established  by  the  illustrious 
dead  whose  names  haye  illumined  its  roll  of  membership. 

And  as  the  list  lengthens  and  there  is  added  to  it  the  names 
of  those  with  whom  we  have  been  in  personal  touch  as  friends 
and  colleagues — aye,  almost  as  brothers — we  who  remain,  and 
upon  whom  it  devolves  to  pay  a  word  of  tribute,  are  more  and 
more  dominated  by  the  dead. 

The  great  orators,  the  brilliant  debaters,  the  noted  states 
men  who  have  passed  away — the  Clays,  the  Websters,  the 
Calhouns  of  the  Senate — have  not  been  the  only  class  of  mem 
bers  to  bring  the  Senate  to  the  degree  of  respect  in  which  it 
is  held  as  a  dignified,  orderly,  conservative,  and  patriotic 
legislative  body. 

A  part,  equal  perhaps  in  importance,  has  been  taken  by 
those  who  have  performed  their  duty  as  they  have  found  it — 
men  whose  days  with  the  schoolmaster  were  brief,  self-taught 
in  the  rough  school  of  experience,  carrying  a  commission 
rather  than  a  diploma,  but  knowing  humanity  to  its  inmost 
heart,  and  quick  to  the  needs  of  the  citizenship  of  the  land. 
Men  of  this  mold  have  left  a  potent  impress  upon  the  country, 
upon  Congress,  and  upon  those  who  have  succeeded  to  their 
place  in  this  body. 

Such  a  man  was  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL,  United  States  Senator 


Address  of  Mr.    Warren,  of  Wyoming.  39 

from  New  Jersey  from  1881  to  1887  and  from  1895  to  1901— 
our  friend  and  colleague  in  whose  memory  we  meet  to-day 
to  pa}-  what  tribute  our  weak  words  can  bestow  upon  the 
record  of  his  life  and  deeds. 

General  SEWELL  was  not  an  American  born;  his  birthplace 
was  in  that  land  which  has  given  many  illustrious  statesmen, 
citizens,  and  soldiers  to  this  their  adopted  country.  He  was 
not  equipped  with  wealth  to  start  his  career,  and  was  forced 
to  fight  the  battles  of  life  without  the  aid  and  support  of 
father  and  mother,  both  having  died  when  he  was  a  mere 
lad.  The  hard  fortunes  of  the  sea  first  engaged  him,  and  as 
a  boy  before  the  mast  he  sailed  to  the  then  almost  unknown 
shores  of  the  Orient.  But  "hard  as  these  first  conditions 
were,  he  and  not  they  obtained  the  mastery,  and,  starting 
the  voyage  as  boy,  he  ended  as  mate. 

The  story  of  his  life  is  a  record  of  success;  not  success 
coining  by  accident,  influence  of  connections  or  friends,  but 
by  his  own  untiring  perseverance,  his  devotion  to  duty,  his 
capacity — his  genius,  in  fact,  for  hard  work. 

In  every  undertaking  of  his  life  he  commenced  at  the 
lowermost  round  of  the  ladder.  When  he  went  to  the 
defense  of  his  adopted  country,  he  offered  himself  as  a  pri 
vate  soldier,  but  there  must  have  been,  in  the  face  and  figure 
of  the  handsome,  stalwart  youth  of  25,  evidence  of  the  quali 
ties  of  leadership,  for  his  companions  in  his  company  elected 
him  their  captain.  He  was  faithful  to  every  trust  imposed 
in  him.  He  was  brave  in  battle.  One  who  has  chronicled 
his  military  life  says: 

His  charge  at  Cbancellorsville  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  feats  of  the 
war  and  won  for  him  a  medal  of  honor.  It  was  the  morning  of  May  3, 
1863,  the  last  of  the  three  days'  battle.  The  Second  Brigade  of  New  Jersey 
had  but  two  hours'  sleep  during  the  night.  They  had  formed  in  fighting 
line  before  davbreak  and  had  been  under  continuous  fire  for  over  four 


40  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

hours.  Many  of  their  comrades  were  dead.  More  lay  wounded  and 
dying  about  them.  General  Mott  had  been  injured  and  carried  from  the 
field;  General  Berry  had  been  killed,  and  the  command  fell  upon  Colonel 

SEWELL. 

To  the  south  and  in  front  and  to  the  wrest  and  on  the  right  flank  were 
the  Confederate  troops.  They  were  swarming  forward  in  overwhelming 
numbers  and  had  seized  a  hill  from  wThich  the  Federals  had  been  driven 
and  which  SEWELL  realized  must  be  recovered.  With  the  instincts  of  a 
born  soldier  he  rallied  his  disheartened  forces,  and  seeing  them  hesitate 
in-the  presence  of  the  foe  in  such  overwhelming  numbers  that  it  seemed 
madness  to  charge,  he  galloped  to  the  front  in  advance  of  the  brigade  until 
he  stood  in  distinct  view  of  all  and  then  exclaimed:  "At  least,  Jerseymen, 
follow  me!  "  His  example  was  irresistible.  With  a  rush  and  a  cheer  the 
whole  line  went  forward.  Up  and  over  the  hill  they  drove  the  enemy, 
and  on  the  crest  of  the  earthworks  planted  the  regimental  colors. 

He  entered  the  service  a  captain  and  left  it  a  major-general. 

After  the  smoke  of  battle  cleared  away,  General  SEWELL 
put  off  the  uniform  of  a  soldier  and  commenced  civil  life  in 
a  humble  capacity  in  his  chosen  profession  of  a  railroad  man. 
He  started  as  yardmaster  and  agent  and  became  president. 
The  qualities  of  leadership,  mastery  of  details,  unremitting 
work,  carried  him  onward  from  the  lowest  to  the  highest  place. 

We  know  his  life  after  he  became  a  member  of  this  body. 
Seemingly  austere  at  times,  perhaps,  in  manner,  yet  he  was 
the  embodiment  of  kindliness  and  true  courtesy.  I  had  the 
honor  to  serve  with  General  SEWELL  for  over  six  years  as 
fellow-member  of  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs  and  some 
two  years  on  the  Committee  on  Appropriations,  and  I  learned 
to-  know  and  value  his  worth  as  a  man,  as  a  legislator,  as  a 
friend.  My  association  with  him  brings  to  mind — 

That  best  portion  of  a  good  man's  life — 
His  little,  nameless,  unremembered  acts 
Of  kindness  and  of  love. 

He  let  no  day  close  without  doing  good  deeds  for  his  friends, 
for  his  colleagues,  for  his  constituents;  and  it  was  with  profound 
sorrow  that  the  fatal  tidings  came  that  his  work  was  done. 

I    recall   the   active   interest   taken   bv   General    SEWELL  in 


Address  of  Mr.   IVarrcn,  of  Wyoming.  41 

legislation  for  increasing  the  efficiency  of  the  National  Guard. 
He  was  an  example  of  what  can  be  accomplished  in  war  by 
the  citizen  soldier,  and  it  was  his  constant  desire  to  upbuild 
and  improve  the  National  Guard  service  of  the  country,  in 
order  that  it  might  become  a  bulwark  of  defense  to  our 
institutions. 

It  was  said  by  a  former  member  of  this  body  that  ' '  a  reformer 
and  his  reform  rarely  succeed  at  the  same  time."  To-day,  as 
we  pay  our  meed  of  praise  to  our  departed  colleague,  the 
reform  for  which  he  strove  so  long  and  well  is  about  to  become 
ingrafted  in  the  law  of  the  land.  While  he  did  not  live  to 
see  his  wishes  consummated,  we  know  that  his  ideas  have 
taken  shape  and  form,  and  that  to  his  work  and  energies  we 
owe  light  and  wisdom  with  which  to  act  in  the  consideration 
of  the  measure  which  carries  into  effect  his  ideas. 

While  striving  to  benefit  the  National  Guard  of  the  country, 
in  which  he  took  so  great  an  interest,  he  never  lost  sight  of 
the  old  soldiers  with  whom  he  served,  and  the  duties  he  per 
formed  as  a  member,  vice-president,  and  president  of  the  Board 
of  Managers  of  the  National  Home  for  Disabled  Volunteer 
Soldiers  served  to  ameliorate  the  hardships  of  many  of  his 
old  comrades. 

And  so  ran  the  story  of  his  life.  As  a  boy,  meeting  cheer 
fully  the  obstacles  which  poverty  placed  in  his  path;  as  a 
youth,  taking  up  the  hardships  of  the  camp  and  field,  braving 
the  perils  of  the  fiercest  battles  of  the  civil  war,  and  winning 
for  himself  imperishable  fame  in  the  annals  of  that  great 
conflict;  as  a  business  man,  gaining  the  respect  and  confidence 
of  a  great  State;  as  a  legislator,  true  to  his  constituents,  his 
friends  and  his  country;  and  in  all,  in  youth  and  manhood, 
in  war  and  peace,  in  his  private  and  public  life,  living  close  to 
the  highest  ideals  of  human  life. 

Thus  he  won  success- -nay,  he  did  more,  he  deserved  success. 


42  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Seivell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  PENROSE,  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  I  always  entertained  sentiments  of  the 
highest  regard  and  esteem  for  our  late  colleague,  General 
SEWELL,  in  my  acquaintance  and  friendship  with  him,  extend 
ing  over  mail}7  years  before  I  came  to  this  body,  and  these 
sentiments  were  intensified  by  the  more  intimate  associations 
which  I  formed  with  him  in  the  Senate.  I  sat  next  to  him 
in  this  Chamber.  We  resided  in  adjoining  cities,  and  repre 
sented  adjoining  States  which,  have  many  common  interests. 
I  had  many  opportunities  to  observe  the  strength  and 
greatness  of  his  character  and  to  fully  appreciate  the  loss 
which  we  have  sustained  in  his  death. 

The  career  of  General  SEWELL  was  distinguished  by 
splendid  achievements;  it  affords  an  inspiration  to  any  young 
man  and  illustrates  the  opportunities  of  our  American  Republic. 
What  he  accomplished  was  not  the  result  entirely  of  good 
fortune,  but  the  rounding  out  of  ean.est,  intelligent,  and  per 
sistent  effort.  He  was  born  in  Ireland,  of  a  respectable  family 
in  moderate  circumstances,  being  English  upon  his  father's 
side  and  Scotch-Irish  upon  his  mother's.  The  original  coat  of 
arms  of  the  Sewell  family  was  first  conferred  upon  one  of  the 
line  for  gallantry  at  the  battle  of  Crecy  in  defense  of  the  Black 
Prince,  and  to  this  was  added  later  the  crest  "a  mailed  hand 
brandishing  a  cap  of  liberty,"  a  republican  emblem  that  could 
only  have  been  won  by  resistance  to  kings. 

He  left  home  at  the  age  of  1 6  'to  better  his  fortunes  and  to 
create  a  career.  Joining  an  elder  brother  in  New  York  in  a 
mercantile  capacity,  he  soon  afterwards  became  a  sailor  before 
the  mast,  and  made  a  number  of  voyages  in  various  directions, 
finally  becoming  second  mate  by  his  indomitable  energy  and 


Address  of  Mr.  Pcnrosc,  of  Pennsylvania.  43 

forceful  will.  Late  in  the  fifties  he  was  found  in  Illinois  occu 
pying-  the  position  of  what  might  be  termed  a  soliciting 
salesman,  traveling  the  prairies  seeking  business  for  the  house 
which  he  represented.  It  was  then  that  he  heard  the 
noted  debates  between  Mr.  Lincoln  and  Mr.  Douglas,  which 
made  a  profound  impression  upon  him,  and  tended  largely  to 
his  adherence  to  the  Republican  party  in  later  years. 

By  chance  being  in  Xew  Jersey  when  the  war  commenced, 
his  naturally  martial  spirit  and  his  devotion  to  his  adopted 
country  induced  him  to  apply  to  the  governor  of  the  State,  Dr. 
Newell,  for  the  position  of  second  lieutenant  in  one  of  the 
regiments  of  that  State.  Governor  Newell  was  so  much 
impressed  with  his  appearance  and  his  decided  expression  of 
views  as  to  the  conduct  of  the  war  that  he  appointed  him  a 
captain.  Entering  as  a  captain,  he  retired  at  the  end  of  the 
war  brevet  major-general.  Upon  many  a  battlefield  he  attested 
his  gallantry  and  military  prowess,  notably  at  Chancellorsville, 
where  he  led  the  New  Jersey  brigade  and  recaptured  from  the 
Confederate  forces  a  number  of  Union  standards. 

At  the  end  of  the  war  he  found  himself  without  any  special 
friends  in  the  East,  with  no  money  accumulated,  and  no  pro 
fession  upon  which  to  depend.  Happening  to  be  in  New 
Jersey,  he  entered  the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad 
Company  in  a  minor  capacity,  and  remained  continuously  with 
that  great  corporation  until  the  time  of  his  death,  becoming 
finally  president  of  its  lines  in  New  Jersey.  As  a  railroad 
official  the  same  attributes  characterized  him  as  marked  his 
military  career.  He  was  fearless  in  the  discharge  of  duty, 
quick  to  grasp  an  opportunity  to  better  the  road  which  he 
represented,  and  singularly  fortunate  in  inspiring  absolute 
loyalty  and  implicit  confidence  in  both  his  associates  and 
subordinates. 


44  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Scwell. 

Having  settled  in  C-amden,  N.  J.,  General  SEWELL  turned 
his  attention  to  politics,  and  was  soon  elected  to  the  State 
senate,  where  he  served  for  a  number  of  years,  some  time  as 
president.  In  1881  he  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate, 
defeating  for  the  nomination  such  distinguished  Republicans  as 
George  A.  Halsey,  George  M.  Robeson,  and  William  "Walter 
Phelps.  At  the  expiration  of  his  term,  the  State  having 
become  Democratic,  he  retired  to  private  life.  It  was  thought 
at  that  time  that  Xew  Jersey  was  hopelessly  Democratic  and 
the  prospect  of  Republican  success  very  remote.  Here  it  was 
that  he  exhibited  that  wonderful  sagacity  in  political  as  in 
other  affairs  which  distinguished  him  throughout  life.  Almost 
unaided  he  kept  up  the  organization  in  his  State  with  such 
perfection  that  in  1895  he  was  again  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate,  and,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term,  was  reelected 
for  the  term  expiring  March  4,  1907. 

Among  the  many  admirable  traits  in  General  SEWELL'S 
character  several  stood  out  preeminently.  His  modesty  was 
evident.  No  one,  however  intimate  with  him,  ever  heard  him 
boast  or  refer,  even  in  the  most  indirect  manner,  to  his  achieve 
ments  during  the  war  or  in  the  great  and  important  political 
events  in  which  he  had  participated  in  civil  life.  In  fact,  he 
seemed  to  deprecate  any  personal  allusion  to  himself,  and  when 
there  \vas  any  praise  to  be  awarded  he  was  sincerely  desirous 
that  others  should  be  the  recipients  rather  than  himself.  He 
was  preeminently  noted  for  the  inviolability  of  his  word.  The 
old  saying,  "  His  word  is  as  good  as  his  bond,"  applied  with 
singular  force  to  General  SEWELL,  £nd  in  his  case  could  even 
have  been  enlarged,  for  his  word  was  better  than  his  bond." 
He  \vas  not  a  man  profuse  in  protestations,  neither  did  he 
make  a  promise  nor  incur  any  obligation  without  giving  due 
consideration  to  what  was  involved,  and  whenever  he  said  he 


Address  of  Mr.  Penrose,  of  Pennsylvania.  45 

would  or  would  not  do  a  thing,  there  was  no  retraction  or 
reluctance,  no  compromise.  He  absolutely  fulfilled  what  he  had 
undertaken,  so  that  in  his  own  State  political  friend  and  foe 
alike  fully  realized  that  in  dealing  with  him  there  wras  nothing 
held  back,  there  were  no  unfair  surprises  intended,  but  from 
the  first  his  course  was  marked  with  fairness  and  candor. 

He  exhibited  a  remarkable  loyalty  to  his  friends.  No  man 
ever  lived  who  was  more  thoroughly  devoted  to  his  friends  or 
truer  to  their  interests.  His  friends  did  not  embrace  an  army, 
and  he  was  careful  as  to  whom  he  placed  upon  his  list  or 
brought  near  to  his  heart,  but  he  could  not  be  shaken  when 
once  his  friendship  and  confidence  had  been  acquired  by 
anyone.  If  he  erred  at  all,  it  was  in  his  steadfast  allegiance, 
unwilling  to  see  things  which  with  other  men  might  have 
weakened  the  association.  Xo  slander,  no  innuendo,  no 
attempt  to  depreciate  or  injure  anyone  who  was  upon  terms 
of  friendship  or  intimacy  with  him  had  the  slightest  effect. 

He  possessed  keen  discernment.  Few  men  have  excelled 
General  SEWELL  in  the  extraordinary  faculty  which  he  pos 
sessed  for  picking  out  the  right  person  for  the  work  he  had  in 
charge.  Without  this  faculty  he  could  have  hardly  accom 
plished  his  achievements  as  head  of  great  corporate  interests 
and  as  the  recognized  leader  of  a  great  political  organization  in 
one  of  the  great  States  of  the  Union.  He  seemed  to  know  by 
intuition  exactly  how  to  develop  the  best  in  a  man,  to  discern 
what  he  was  fitted  for,  and  to  realize  his  capabilities,  influences, 
and  aptitudes.  Intrusted  as  he  was  with  responsibilities  which 
would  have  appalled  almost  anyone,  he  was  able  to  bring  about 
wonderful  results,  because  surrounded  by  a  staff  of  efficient 
assistants  who  took  their  instructions  from  him,  followed  them 
faithfully,  and  never  betrayed  in  the  slightest  degree  the  faith 
reposed  in  them. 


46  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

He  possessed  great  industry.  It  was  General  SEWELL'S 
habit  never  to  leave  his  office  until  he  had  disposed  of  every 
matter  that  could  be  attended  to  that  day.  His  thoroughness 
in  the  dispatch  of  business  was  one  of  the  secrets  of  his  suc 
cess.  No  detail,  however  insignificant,  escaped  his  attention; 
no  request,  however  unimportant,  was  not  promptly  acted 
upon;  no  person  ever  sought  an  interview  upon  a  proper  mis 
sion  and  was  refused;  no  letter  worthy  of  an  answer  remained 
unresponded  to. 

General  SEWELL  possessed  great  breadth  of  view.  He  was 
a  reticent  man.  He  was  a  clear  and  forceful  speaker,  without 
pretending  to  be  an  orator.  In  private  life,  was  not  want  to 
engage  in  much  conversation.  His  was  a  reflective  and 
absorbing  mind,  always  anxious  for  information,  never  con 
ceited  as  to  his  own  opinion,  willing  to  be  advised  if  he 
thought  the  advice  judicious,  and  capable  of  grasping  a  situa 
tion,  both  as  to  its  strong  and  weak  points, 'almost  instantly, 
which  would  have  required  from  most  men  considerable  time 
for  reflection.  His  career  in  the  Senate  illustrates  his  char 
acter.  There  was  scarcely  a  question  presented  to  the  Senate 
during  the  thirteen  years  that  he  was  a  member  upon  which 
he  did  not  from  the  first  reach  a  correct  conclusion. 

He  was  loyal  to  his  country,  a  loving  and  devoted  husband 
and  father,  steadfast  to  his  friends,  and  faithful  to  every  trust 
confided  to  him.  As  a  citizen,  soldier,  and  statesman  his 
career  was  marked  by  loyalty  to  truth  and  principle.  His 
name  will  have  a  bright  and  honored  place  in  the  history  of 
our  country. 


Address  of  Mr.  Depciv,  of  Neiv   York.  47 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  DEPEW,  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  It  was  my  privilege  to  know  Senator 
WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
He  and  I,  during  the  whole  of  that  period,  were  in  the  same 
profession.  It  brought  us  close  together  in  the  intimacy  of 
antagonisms  and  of  friendships.  Our  acquaintance,  our  inter 
course,  ripened  into  the  warmest  friendship,  and  the  more  years 
I  knew  him  the  more  I  appreciated  the  qualities  of  mind  and  of 
heart  which  enabled  him  to  accomplish  the  career  which  we 
celebrate  here  to-day. 

I  know  of  no  example  at  this  particular  period  wrhich  is  so 
rich  in  encouragement  as  that  of  Senator  SEWELL.  Extremes 
always  go  together,  and  we  are  just  now,  more  than  at  any 
other  age,  at  the  extremes  of  optimism  and  pessimism.  There 
never  was  a  time  when  for  an  American  there  was  so  much  to 
be  proud  of,  and  to  be  hopeful  for,  and  to  inspire  ambition,  as 
now.  And  there  never  has  been  a  time  when,  from  the  pro 
fessor's  chair  to  the  pulpit,  from  the  pulpit  to  the  press,  from 
the  press  to  the  platform,  and  from  every  public  source,  there 
were  so  many  and  such  unanimous  expressions  in  regard  to  the  . 
failure  of  our  institutions  from  now  on  to  permit  the  develop 
ment  of  the  individual.  There  is  the  universal  cry  everywhere 
that  these  combinations  which  are  forming  from  the  natural 
tendencies  of  our  age,  both  of  capital  on  the  one  side  and  of 
labor  on  the  other,  are  every  day  wiping  out  the  unit  and 
recognizing  only  the  mass. 

It  is  the  glory  of  our  country  that  it  has  been  builded  upon 
the  individual;  that  under  our  institutions,  differing  from  all 
others  of  all  other  lands  and  of  all  times,  it  makes  no  difference 
what  mav  be  the  start  that  the  bov  has  in  life,  if  he  has  in  him 


48  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Seu'ell. 

the  making  of  a  career,  the  circumstances,  conditions,  environ 
ments,  and  institutions  enable  him  to  make  it  to  the  limit  of 
his  capacity. 

But  we  are  told  now  that  that  element  in  our  institutions 
has  been  negatived  by  the  character  of  our  industrial  and 
financial  development;  that  it  is  the  corporation,  it  is  the 
great  organization  of  the  trust,  it  is  the  mighty  combination 
of  labor  which  have  wiped  out  the  foundations  upon  which 
we  have  builded  and  that  which  is  the  hope  of  the  future  of 
the  Republic  of  the  United  States.  So  says  the  lecturer,  so 
says  the  professor,  so  says  the  theorist,  so  says  the  agitator, 
so  says  the  demagogue. 

Now,  here  we  have  in  the  career  of  our  friend  the  best  answer 
I  have  ever  known  to  just  that  question.  He  arrived  in  this 
country  and  started  handicapped  as  our  American  youth  are 
not.  All  the  great  successes  in  our  financial,  our  industrial, 
and  our  public  life  have  been  made  by  those  who  started  with 
nothing,  with  no  equipment  except  brains,  character,  industry, 
and  ambition.  But  they  were  American  citizens  with  all  that 
that  means.  However,  here  was  a  foreign  lad  wTith  none  of 
those  influences  of  family  to  which  he  could  go  for  advice, 
and  none  of  those  influences  of  environment  of  the  village  or 
the  hamlet  or  the  county  which  would  be  proud  of  him  and 
push  him  forward.  Notwithstanding  that,  you  have  heard 
here  in  these  various  eulogies  what  he  accomplished,  and  still 
did  not  live  to  the  full  period  allotted  to  man. 

He  began  as  a  poor  boy,  without  a  penny,  and  accumulated 
a  fortune.  He  began  in  public  life  simply  as  a  worker  in  the 
ranks  of  his  part}'  and  reached  the  highest  position  that  his 
country  can  give  to  one  born  upon  a  foreign  soil.  A  member 
of  the  senate  of  his  State,  elected  the  president  of  the  senate  of 
his  State  by  his  associates,  after  he  had  been  there  two  terms 


Address  of  Mr.  Depew,  of  New   York.  49 

and  he  was  entering  upon  his  third,  he  was  elected  to  the  United 
States  Senate  and  chosen  for  three  terms.  Starting  as  a  soldier 
in  the  humblest  position  as  an  officer,  by  gallantry  he  retired  a 
brigadier-general,  and  was  then  brevetted  a  major-general  for 
gallantry  in  the  field.  Commencing  in  the  humblest  capacity 
in  the  railway  in  which  he  worked  for  nearly  forty  years,  he 
became  the  president  of  all  its  lines  in  the  State  in  which 
he  resided. 

Now,  there  is  another  element  which  is  a  refutal  of  these 
pessimistic  views.  He  began  his  career  in  the  corporation,  in 
which  the  individual  is  eliminated,  and  all  private  views,  private 
character,  private  ambitions,  and  private  ability  are  reduced  to 
the  general  mass,  says  the  theorist.  And  yet  it  was  in  that 
career,  which  occupied  the  whole  of  his  active  life,  in  the 
service  of  one  of  the  greatest  corporations  in  this  country 
that  he  achieved  in  finance  a  success,  in  public  life  a  success, 
in  his  profession  a  success,  as  a  soldier  a  success,  in  any  one 
of  which  any  man  would  have  been  said  by  his  neighbors 
and  his  family  to  have  accomplished  an  honorable  and 
distinguished  career. 

If  I  may  be  permitted,  as  the  trend  of  discussion  has  gone 
principally  upon  what  he  achieved,  I  think  that  his  success 
was  due  to  the  directness  and  the  courage  which  he  had. 
The  courage  which  he  displayed  upon  the  battlefield  was  the 
courage  which  was  displayed  by  millions  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  who  served  under  the  one  flag  or  the  other  during 
the  civil  war.  But  he  had  a  higher  courage  than  that  mere 
physical  courage,  which  is  admirable,  but  with  which  our 
race  is  gifted.  He  had  a  moral  courage,  and  to  that  he 
owed  the  major  part  of  his  success. 

During  the  period  when  he  was  most  active  in  politics,  when 
he  was  most  ambitious  for  popular  favor,  there  prevailed 
S.  Doc.  226 4 


5O  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

through  this  country  that  singular  craze  and  prejudice  which 
said  that  the  million  of  men  engaged  in  the  profession  of 
railroading  were  unworthy  of  public  confidence,  and  were 
dangerous  to  nominate  for  public  office.  There  were  times 
when  this  rose  so  high  that,  while  both  parties  wished  the 
services  of  the  railway  man  after  the  nominations  were  made, 
neither  party  dared  nominate  a  man  upon  the  pay  roll  of  a 
railroad  company  for  a  village,  a  county,  a  State,  or  a  national 
office. 

Many  who  had  ambitions  at  that  period  sought  to  gratify 
their  ambitions  by  denying  the  profession  in  which  they  were 
engaged  or  minimizing  it;  but  Senator  SEWELL  always  remem 
bered  that  he  was  one  of  a  million  men  engaged  in  a  profession 
which  required  as  much,  at  least,  if  not  more,  of  ability,  of 
intelligence,  of  sobriety,  of  industry,  of  fidelity,  and  all  the 
qualities  that  go  to  make  up  good  service  and  good  citizenship 
than  any  other  pursuit  in  the  country.  He  remembered  the 
camaraderie  that  he  had  with  these  men,  and  he  was  deter 
mined  that  by  no  act  of  his  should  there  be  a  slur  cast  upon 
this  profession  that  they  were  unworthy  of  public  confidence 
compared  with  those  who  were  engaged  in  other  gainful  and 
in  other  reputable  pursuits  in  our  country. 

It  was  the  peculiarity  of  this  craze,  of  this  prejudice,  that 
it  applied  only  to  those  who  were  on  the  pay  roll  and  receiving 
their  stipend — salary,  wages,  whatever  it  might  be — in  the 
regular  way  from  the  treasury  of  the  corporation.  During  the 
whole  of  that  period  the  president  or  the  general  counsel 
could  retain  distinguished  lawyers  who  would  receive  as  com 
pensation  many  times  what  the  officer  or  the  general  counsel 
had  in  the  way  of  salary,  who  would  appear  in  the  State  and 
in  the  national  courts,  and  sometimes  when  the  Government 
and  the  corporation  were  in  antagonism,  and  yet  that  politician, 


Address  of  Mr.  Depeiv,  of  New    York.  51 

becoming  a  statesman,  or  one  at  the  time,  could  appear  in 
this  capacity,  and  then  upon  the  platform  or  in  Congress 
denounce  the  corporation  and  retain  the  confidence  of  his 
fellow-citizens. 

I  remember  an  incident  at  a  national  convention  where 
SEWELL  and  I  were  frequently  in  consultation  upon  this  sub 
ject  and  in  which  I  was  personally  interested,  where  a  gentle 
man,  distinguished  in  his  State  and  in  the  nation,  came  to 
me  and  said,  "You  should  retire  instantly,  for  the  sake  of 
your  party,  from  the  position  in  which  your  State  put  you 
as  its  candidate  for  President,  because  in  our  State  we  have 
educated  the  people  to  believe  that  anyone  who  holds  any 
position  under  a  railroad,  whether  it  is  a  brakeman,  a  con 
ductor,  a  locomotive  engineer,  a  freight  man,  a  passenger 
man,  a  president,  or  a  general  counsel,  is  un worth}-  of  public 
confidence. ' '  I  said,  ' '  My  friend,  what  do  you  do?  "  "  Well, ' ' 
he  said,  "outside  of  my  public  life — I  am  so  engaged  and 
engrossed  in  public  duties  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  take 
private  practice,  and  so  my  entire  living  comes  from  the 
retainers  given  me  by  a  leading  Western  railroad." 

Now,  Mr..  President,  Mr.  SEWELL  was  no  such  man  as  that. 
When  he  ran  for  the  State  senate  first,  and  again  and  again, 
he  was  the  leading  railway  officer  and  the  represent ative  of 
all  the  railroads  in  his  State,  and  he  made  no  concealment  of 
the  fact.  On  the  contrary,  while  he  did  not  run  as  such, 
he  did  assert,  "  I  am  as  worth}',  if  as  a  man  and  a  citizen  you 
think  me  so,  as  you,  gentlemen,  who  are  engaged  in  any  other 
pursuit,  avocation,  or  profession."  And  that  courage  elected 
him.  It  reelected  him.  It  made  him  the  leader  of  his  party 
in  his  State.  It  did  more.  It  made  his  State,  which  has 
always  been  freer  from  baseless  prejudice  than  most  of  our 
Commonwealths,  choose  him  the  leader  of  the  delegation  in 


52  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

six  national  conventions,  where  he  was  to  be  a  great  force  in 
saying  who  should  receive  the  nomination  for  the  Presidency 
and  Vice-Presidency,  when  upon  that  nomination  and  upon 
that  platform  depended  the  fortunes  of  the  party  to  which 
he  belonged. 

When  in  public  life  he  illustrated  that  he  could  be  a  railway 
man  in  his  profession  and  a  public  man  when  intrusted  by  the 
people  with  office.  To  his  initiative,  to  his  skill  as  a  business 
man.  and  to  his  lack  of  prejudice  on  all  questions  is  due  that 
legislation  in  the  State  of  New  Jersey  by  which  taxation  has 
been  lifted,  so  far  as  State  taxation  is  concerned,  from  the 
farm,  from  industries,  and  from  labor,  and  placed  upon  the 
corporations.  He  perfected  that  system  so  that  from  the  cor 
poration  and  not  from  the  farm,  not  from  industries,  not  from 
labor,  come  in  the  State  treasury  of  New  Jersey  to-day  reve 
nues  which  have  relieved  it  of  State  debt,  revenues  which  pay 
the  whole  of  its  State  taxation,  revenues  which  take  care  of  its 
educational  system,  and  revenues  which  seem  as  though  they 
would  ultimately  wipe  out  local  taxation. 

Mr.  President,  Senator  SEWELL  was  in  no  sense  a  spectacular 
man.  We  who  knew  him  best  knew  that  he  avoided  crowds, 
he  avoided  applause,  he  never  played  to  the  gallery.  He  was 
always  intent  upon  the  one  thing  which  he  sought  to  accom 
plish.  The  motive  power  of  his  career  was  its  directness,  its 
courage,  its  outspokenness.  When  he  started  in  the  railway 
business  he  meant  to  be  president  of  the  railway,  and  he  was; 
in  finance  he  meant  to  get  a  fortune,  and  he  secured  it;  in 
politics  he  meant  to  go  as  far  as  he  could  under  the  laws 
and  the  Constitution  of  the 'United  States,  and  he  did. 

In  this  Senate  his  value  was  in  the  fact  that  he  undertook 
nothing  which  he  did  not  completely  understand,  and  that 
which  he  did  understand  by  the  submission  of  the  judgment 


Address  of  Mr.  Depew,  of  New   York.  53 

of  his  associates  to  his  great  judgment,  backed  up  by  his  won 
derful  information  and  industry,  became  the  law  of  the  land. 

He  started  to  redeem  the  State  of  Xew  Jersey  from  its  rock- 
ribbed  condition  in  the  Democratic  party.  It  had  been  allied 
to  that  party  ever  since  the  time  of  Jefferson,  and  including 
Jefferson's  time.  In  that  State,  which  is  peculiarly  interstate, 
within  itself,  in  the  families  who  married  and  intermarried, 
there  were  traditions  and  legends  of  party  associations  most 
difficult  to  break,  most  difficult  to  sever;  and  Senator  SEWELL'S 
success  in  the  twenty  years'  struggle  by  which  he  turned  that 
State  over  to  his  own  party,  and  by  which  it  looks  as  if  it  might 
be  kept  there,  was  due  to  the  qualities  of  leadership,  in  which 
he  differed  from  most  of  the  political  leaders  of  my  time. 

Political  leaders,  as  I  have  known  them — and  I  have  known 
almost  all  of  them  in  almost  every  State  for  forty  years — are 
jealous  of  youth;  they  are  afraid  of  young  ambition;  they  hesi 
tate  to  acknowledge  the  rising  genius  which  appears  in  the 
different  localities  of  their  State,  and  they  frequently  put  a 
heavy  hand  on  a  young  man  who  is  marching  ahead,  according 
to  their  judgment,  too  rapidly,  and  may  possibly  interfere  with 
or  remove  them  from  the  seat  of  power.  SEWELL  never  had 
any  fear  on  that  point.  Wherever  there  was  ambition  in  youth 
he  encouraged  it;  wherever  there  was  ability  he  recognized  it; 
wherever  a  young  man  could  be  placed  so  that  he  could  be 
most  useful  to  the  cause  which  SEWELL  loved,  and  which  he 
believed  ought  to  triumph,  it  never  occurred  to  his  brave  and 
manly  heart  that  that  boy  or  that  young  man  'could  be  a  rival 
of  himself. 

There  is  one  race,  Mr.  President,  which  has  contributed  more 
to  the  government  of  this  world  in  modern  times  than  any 
other.  It  bears  a  very  small  proportion  to  other  races,  almost 
an  infinitesimal  portion.  Wherever  you  go  around  the  world, 


54  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  S ewe II. 

in  seeing  foreign  countries  and  foreign  sights,  you  come  upon 
the  colonies  of  the  British  Empire,  and  recognize  that  the  sun 
in  its  course  around  the  globe  never  sets  upon  the  British  flag. 
Wherever  the  situation  is  difficult,  wherever  government  is 
almost  impossible,  wherever  the  climate  is  most  deadly,  wher 
ever  the  population  is  nearer  to  barbarism  and  savagery,  and 
therefore  almost  impossible  to  assimilate,  there  you  find  as  a 
governor  a  member  of  the  Scotch- Irish  race.  The  Scotch-Irish 
race  is  a  very  small  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  British 
Islands,  but  in  the  civil  and  military  affairs  of  England  they 
occupy  more  distinguished,  more  powerful,  and  more  numerous 
stations  than  all  other  races  combined. 

That  race  has  contributed  much  to  the  glory  of  the  American 
Army  and  of  the  American  Navy.  Though  an  almost  infini 
tesimal  part  of  our  80,000,000  people,  it  has  contributed  several 
Presidents  to  the  United  States,  but  it  never  gave  to  our  public 
and  our  business  life,  it  never  gave  to  our  citizenship  a  better 
example  or  a  more  useful  service  than  when  it  contributed 
the  grit,  the  pluck,  the  modest  courage,  the  ability,  and  the 
indomitable  ambition  of  Senator  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL. 


Address  of  Mr.  Dryden,  of  New  Jersey.  55 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  DRYDEN,  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

Mr.  PRESIDENT:  As  the  junior  Senator  from  Xe\v  Jersey, 
precedent  assigns  to  me  the  duty  of  speaking  the  last  word  in 
these  memorial  services.  But  the  story  of  General  SE WELL'S 
life,  to  which  we  have  just  listened  from  the  lips  of  those  who 
knew  and  honored  him,  renders  it  unnecessary  for  me  to  speak 
of  him  at  length. 

It  is  especially  fitting  that  this  body,  of  which  General 
SEWELL  was  a  member  for  nearly  one-fifth  of  his  busy  and 
eventful  career,  should  bear  testimony  by  appropriate  action 
and  in  a  public  manner  to  his  sterling  character  and  distin 
guished  services.  These  solemn  observances  are  far  more 
than  a  mere  adherence  to  a  venerated  custom.  They  testify 
to  a  public  loss.  They  signalize  a  recognition  of  the  virtues  of 
a  useful  citizen,  a  brave  soldier.,  a  wise  statesman. 

Devoid  of  the  pomp  and  show  which  would  characterize  a 
similar  event  under  other  forms  of  government,  their  very 
simplicity  lends  to  them  a  force  and  dignity  appropriate  to 
the  life  of  the  man  whom  we  mourn  and  to  the  memory  of 
a  patriotic  and  self-sacrificing  servant  of  the  Republic,  in  whose 
service  he  was  when  he  died. 

Considering  the  circumstances  of  his  foreign  birth,  remem 
bering  that  he  came  to  this  country  a  mere  boy  in  years,  both 
fatherless  and  motherless,  and  that  without  friends  or  means, 
and  with  but  scant  store  of  education,  he  by  the  exercise  of 
great  natural  abilities  rose  step  by  step  from  a  very  humble 
position  in  life  to  be  a  major-general  and  a  Senator  of  the 
United  States,  the  story  of  Senator  SEWELL'S  advancement  is 
remarkable  and  in  some  respects  singular.  Except  that  he 
was  of  Anglo-Irish  lineage  above  the  common,  he  might  not 


56  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

inaptly  have  said  in  the   slightly  altered  language  of  Bulwer 

Ly  tton : 

My  father  died;  and  I,  the  lowly  born, 

Was  my  own  lord.     Then  did  I  seek  to  rise 

Out  of  the  prison  of  my  mean  estate, 

And  with  such  jewels  as  the  exploring  mind 

Brings  from  the  caves  of  knowledge,  buy  my  ransom 

From  those  twin  gaolers  of  the  daring  heart — 

Low  Birth  and  Iron  Fortune. 

The  outbreak  of  the  civil  war  found  General  SEWEI,!,,  then 
a  young  man,  residing  in  New  Jersey  and  already  occupying 
a  responsible  position  in  railroad  work.  He  was  among  the 
first  to  answer  the  nation's  call  for  men  to  maintain  its  unity, 
and  recruiting  a  company  of  his  own  went  with  it  to  the  front 
as  its  captain.  I  shall  not  attempt  to  tell  his  story  as  a  soldier. 
How  he  bore  his  part  in  that  mighty  four  years'  conflict  which 
followed  is  splendidly  attested  by  his  early  and  numerous 
promotions,  through  which  he  rose  steadily  to  the  ranks  of 
lieutenant-colonel,  colonel,  brevet  brigadier-general,  and  finally 
brevet  major-general.  His  first  star  was  given  him  for  "gal 
lant  and  meritorious  conduct  in  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,'' 
where  he  wras  severely  wounded.  For  his  brilliant  sen-ices  in 
action  at  Spottsylvania  and  Gettysburg,  as  well  as  in  other 
great  battles  of  the  war,  he  was  awarded  a  medal  of  honor  by 
Congress.  He  was  but  30  years  of  age  when  he  was  entitled 
to  wrear  the  double  star  of  a  major-general.  These  memorial 
events  in  his  career  are  a  part  of  our  country's  history,  and 
their  story  of  his  bravery  and  patriotism  and  of  hardships 
endured  for  the  love  of  his  country  will  remain  there  to  kindle 
the  pride  of  his  descendants  and  to  encourage  American  youth 
to  emulate  his  noble  deeds. 

Two  events  subsequent  to  his  service  in  the  civil  war  illus 
trate,  one,  the  strength  of  his  martial  spirit,  and  the  other, 
his  capacity  for  command.  Soon  after  the  close  of  that  great 
conflict  he  became  identified  with  the  National  Guard  of  the 


Address  of  Mr.  Dry  den,  of  New  Jersey.  57 

State  of  Xe\v  Jersey  and  continued  in  it  for  the  remainder 
of  his  life,  being  its  major-general  commanding  at  his  death. 
Occupying  that  position  when  the  late  war  with  Spain  broke 
out  he  was  anxious  to  take  the  field  again  and  was,  in  .fact, 
appointed  and  commissioned  a  major-general  of  United  States 
Volunteers  by  the  late  President  McKinley.  Following  that 
occurred  a  most  unusual  event.  You  will  remember,  Mr. 
President,  you  and  those  who  were  serving  in  the  Senate 
with  him  at  that  time,  how,  at  the  urgent  request  of  the 
late  Vice- President  Hobart  and  a  large  number  of  his  Sena 
torial  colleagues  who  believed  General  SEWELL'S  services 
were  imperatively  demanded  here  as  a  member  of  the  Com 
mittee  on  Military  Affairs,  he  with  great  reluctance  and  regret 
declined  the  appointment  and  remained  in  the  Senate  at  the 
post  which,  in  the  judgment  of  many  of  his  associates,  duty 
assigned  to  him. 

Of  his  ability  as  a  military  commander  I  will  mention  but 
a  single  instance.  In  the  year  1877  the  country  was  pro 
foundly  agitated  by  labor  troubles,  particularly  in  connection 
with  some  of  the  railroads.  In  certain  localities  outside  of 
my  own  State  the  fires  of  discontent,  which  had  been  smol 
dering,  broke  out  in  open  conflagration.  Property  was 
destroyed  and  human  lives  sacrificed.  Great  lines  of  trans 
portation  were  tied  up  and  business  was  in  a  state  of  partial 
paralysis.  The  trouble  reached  New  Jersey,  and  the  calamity 
there  was  imminent.  The  conditions  demanded  the  exercise 
of  talent  of  the  highest  order.  To  meet  the  emergency  Gen 
eral  SE\VELL  was  made  provisional  commander  of  the  forces 
of  the  State,  assembled  to  preserve  order,  and  sent  to  Phillips- 
burg,  X.  J.,  the  greatest  point  of  danger.  With  rare  courage, 
decision,  and  good  judgment  he  opened  and  kept  open  the 
lines  of  travel  throughout  the  territory  under  his  command, 
restored  peace  and  order,  vindicated  the  majesty  of  the  law, 


58  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell, 

and,  what  is  worthy  of  the  highest  praise,  accomplished  all 
this  without  the  destruction  of  property  and  without  the  loss 
of  a  single  life.  In  the  language  of  a  conservative  and  com 
petent  authority,  the  late  Adjutant-General  Stryker,  of  New 
Jersey,  "A  more  skillfully  planned,  silently  but  rapidly  exe 
cuted,  and  thoroughly  effective  movement  was  never  made  by 
State  troops  in  the  history  of  this  country." 

The  qualities  that  enabled  General  SEWELL  to  rise  to  high 
rank  and  command  in  the  military  service  of  his  adopted 
country  marked  him  out  for  conspicuous  success  in  the  ranks 
of  peace.  Returning  upon  the  close  of  hostilities  in  the  civil 
war  to  his  ante-bellum  occupation  and  resuming  his  old  home 
in  New  Jersey,  he  soon  began  climbing  the  paths  of  peace 
to  new  places  of  honor  and  trust.  No  obstacles  or  difficulties 
could  long  stay  his  advancement.  Just  as  he  had  shown  a 
marked  genius  for  war,  so  in  business  and  in  statecraft  he 
possessed  all  the  important  qualifications  that  make  for  suc 
cess.  He  was  a  man  of  sound  judgment,  quick  in  decision, 
and  untiringly  industrious.  He  had  in  a  marked  degree  one 
other  trait  which  is  essential  to  permanent  distinction  in  any 
vocation  in  life — absolute  fidelity  to  his  promise.  His  plighted 
faith  was  an  inviolable  obligation.  No  man  could  ever  truth 
fully  charge  General  SEWELL  with  lukewarmness  or  faint 
heartedness  to  any  friend  or  cause  he  professed  to  serve. 

Immediately  after  the  civil  war,  associating  himself  with  the 
Republican  party  in  New  Jersey,  he  was  chosen  to  the  State 
senate  in  1873,  and  continued  a  member  of  that  bod}"  until 
elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States.  His  influence  in 
shaping  public  affairs  steadily  grew,  and  in  the  councils  of  his 
party  in  his  own  State  he  became  the  acknowledged  and  undis 
puted  leader.  In  the  larger  field  of  national  politics  he  was 
also  potential. 

Nearly  evervone   now  a   member  of  this  Senate  knew  him 


Address  of  Mr.  Dry  den,  of  Neu<  Jersey.  59 

well  as  a  colleague,  some  for  a  long  period  of  time.  Those 
who  served  with  him  will  bear  me  witness  that  here,  as 
wherever  else  duty  called  him,  he  discharged  every  obligation 
with  scrupulous  fidelity.  He  did  not  aspire  to  the  fame  of  an 
orator.  He  was  essentially  a  man  of  action,  not  words.  His 
ambition  was  to  be  known  as  a  faithful,  untiring,  and  effective 
worker.  How  well  and  aptly  he  might  have  said,  speaking 
the  words  of  one  of  Shakespeare's  kingly  characters: 

I  profess  not  talking.     Only  this — 
Let  each  man  do  his  part. 

His  favorite  resort  here  was  the  committee  room — that  place 
where  so  much  of  the  effective  business  of  the  Senate  is  trans 
acted. 

But  if  he  shrank  from  public  speaking,  he  was  alert,  active, 
tireless,  and  zealous  in  the  performance  of  every  duty.  He  was 
a  man  of  strong  and  rugged  character  and  when  greatly  moved 
by  any  cause  near  to  his  heart  his  whole  nature  became  aroused 
and  he  could  express  himself  with  a  directness  and  force  clear, 
powerful,  and  convincing.  Naturally  a  man  of  few  words,  he 
weighed  his  language  carefully,  but  every  utterance  had  its 
significance  and  place.  I  will  quote  one,  and  only  one,  sen 
tence  from  the  speeches  of  this  taciturn  man.  It  was  upon  an 
occasion  when  the  conditions,  the  circumstances,  the  surround 
ings  were  all  calculated  to  move  him  profoundly.  He  was 
about  to  retire  from  the  senate  of  New  Jersey,  to  sever  connec 
tions  which  had  lasted  for  years,  and  to  take  his  seat  as  a 
Senator  of  the  United  States.  As  he  arose  at  the  call,  and 
amid  the  plaudits  of  his  old  friends,  he  said  with  much  feeling: 

You  will  not  hear  from  me  as  an  orator,  for  I  am  a  simple  man,  labor 
ing  as  many  hours  a  day  as  any  mechanic  in  the  State,  but*  when  the 
nation  and  State  are  attacked  and  need  a  bosom  to  be  bared  to  meet 
the  attack,  mine  will  be  bared. 

These  words  furnish  a  key  to  his  character. 

Very   much   of    his   influence  with   his  political   as   well   as 


60  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

business  associates  grew  out  of  the  trait  of  character  to  which 
I  have  already  alluded — the  absolute  dependence  that  could  be 
put  upon  his  promise.  His  personal  integrity  was  unimpeach 
able.  Under  what  appeared  at  times  to  be  a  rather  cold  and 
even  haughty  exterior  he  had  a  kind,  sympathetic,  and  tender 
heart  which  moved  him  to  do  many  acts  of  benevolence.  His 
faithfulness  to  anyone  who  had  obtained  his  confidence  and 
esteem  was  proverbial.  His  friendship  was  as — 

Constant  as  the  northern  star, 

Of  whose  true-fixed  and  resting  quality 

There  is  no  fellow  in  the  firmament. 

To  sum  up  the  life  and  character  of  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL, 
judging  him  by  the  standard  of  what  he  was  and  what  he  did, 
the  facts  lead  to  the  inevitable  conclusion  that  in  his  threefold 
capacity  of  citizen,  soldier,  and  statesman  he  acquitted  himself 
in  a  manner  to  reflect  the  highest  credit  upon  the  country  that 
gave  him  free,  ready,  and  largest  opportunity  to  develop  and 
bring  into  splendid  fruition  the  varied  and  brilliant  qualities 
born  in  him,  upon  the  historic  State  that  honored  itself  in  long 
honoring  him,  and  upon  all  who  were  concerned  or  associated 
with  him  in  his  noble  and  remarkably  successful  life  work. 
His  exalted  quality  of  citizenship  is  attested  by  his  achieve 
ments  in  the  walks  of  peace,  conspicuous  among  which  was  his 
evolution  as  a  masterful  developer  of  the  great  railroad  system 
in  which  he  started  in  a  very  humble  capacity,  and  with  which 
he  was  prominently  identified  nearly  all  his  mature  life.  His 
character  as  a  soldier,  as  incarnated  in  his  deeds,  proves  him  to 
have  been  a  born  commander,  as  full  of  sagacity  as  he  was  of 
courage,  equally  ready  as  he  was  resourceful,  skillful,  and 
efficient.  In  the  Senate,  first  of  the  State  he  so  much  loved 
and  so  richly  adorned  and  then  of  the  nation  whose  Govern 
ment  and  institutions  he  idolized,  he  bore  himself  from  first  to 
last  as  a  wise,  painstaking,  and  patriotic  legislator. 


Address  of  Mr.  Dry  den,  of  New  Jersey.  61 

There  is  only  the  assertion  of  a  simple  truth  in  saying,  Mr. 
President,  that  the  man  whose  very  distinguished  career  closed 
upon  the  2jth  day  of  December,  1901,  and  whose  memory  is 
the  occasion  of  these  justly  deserved  remembrances,  was  in  all 
the  relations  of  life,  private  as  well  as  public — 

Zealous,  yet  modest;  innocent,  though  free; 
Patient  of  toil,  serene  amidst  alarms; 
Inflexible  in  faith;  invincible  in  arms. 

The  Senate  thereupon,  in  accordance  with  the  sixth  resolu 
tion  (at  4  o'clock  and  5  minutes  p.  m.),  adjourned,  the 
adjournment  being,  under  the  order  made  this  day,  until  Sat 
urday,  December  20,  1902,  at  12  o'clock  meridian. ; 

FEBRUARY  9,  1903. 
MESSAGE  FROM  THE  HOUSE. 

The  message  also  communicated  to  the  Senate  resolutions 
passed  by  the  House  commemorative  of  the  life  and  services 
of  Hon.  WILLIAM  JOYCE  SE\VELL,  late  a  Senator  from  the 
Stat-e  of  Xew  Jersey. 


PROCEEDINGS  IN  THE  HOUSE. 

JANUARY  6,  1902. 

The  House  met  at  12  o'clock  m.  The  chaplain,  Rev.  Henry 
X.  Couden,  D.  D.,  offered  the  following  prayer: 

We  come  to  Thee,  Almighty  God,  our  heavenlj'  Father, 
because  we  believe  in  Thee  as  a  faithful  friend,  a  wise  coun 
selor,  and  a  trustworthy  guide,  and  because  we  know  that  in 
our  weakness  we  need  Thy  counsel  and  Thy  guiding  hand 
in  all  the  affairs  of  life.  We  bless  Thee  for  the  season  that 
has  just  passed,  with  its  hallowed  associations  and  its  far- 
reaching  lessons,  the  home  gatherings,  their  pleasures  and 
joys;  and  we  thank  Thee  that  Thou  hast  brought  us  together 
again  in  health  and  strength.  And,  that  the  great  problems 
that  shall  come  before  this  House  may  be  ably  and  efficiently 
disposed  of,  give  to  these,  Thy  servants,  clear  minds,  high 
resolves,  and  lofty  endeavors,  that  they  may  prove  themselves 
worthy  of  the  confidence  reposed  in  them  by  a  great  people 
whom  they  represent.  Since  we  last  met  death  has  entered 
into  the  Congressional  family  and  taken  from  it  a  wise  and 
faithful  statesman,  whose  character  has  left  its  impress  upon 
those  who  knew  him  and  upon  the  nation  he  served.  Com 
fort,  we  beseech  Thee,  the  stricken  family  and  bereaved 
friends  with  the  blessed  hope  of  immortality,  and  Thine  shall 
be  the  praise  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

DEATH    OF   SENATOR    SEWELL,    OF    NEW   JERSEY. 

Mr.  L,OUDENSI<AGER.  Mr.  Speaker,  it  becomes  my  painful 
duty  to  announce  to  this  House  the  death  of  that  distinguished 

63 


64  Proceedings  in  the  House. 

citizen,  soldier,  and  statesman,  Senator  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL, 
of  the  State  of  New  Jersey.  His  death  occurred  last  Friday  a 
week,  at  his  home,  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning.  For 
months  he  had  heroically  struggled  against  disease,  which 
finally  proved  too  strong  for  his  constitution  to  longer  resist, 
and  he  passed  away,  surrounded  by  his  family,  and  was  laid  to 
rest  on  the  last  day  of  the  year,  mourned  by  thousands  of 
people  of  his  own  and  other  States  as  no  other  citizen  of  the 
State  was  ever  mourned. 

I  shall  not  at  this  time,  by  any  extended  remarks,  endeavor 
to  express  for  myself,  the  people  of  the  State,  or  the  thousands 
of  his  associates  in  business  and  politics  the  high  appreciation 
and  deep  affection  entertained  for  him. 

At  some  other  time,  under  more  appropriate  conditions,  the 
House  will  be  asked  to  set  aside  a  part  of  its  time,  when  the 
members  will  be  afforded  an  opportunity  to  pay  such  tributes 
to  his  memory  as  is  befitting  such  a  life,  character,  and  distin 
guished  public  service  as  was  rendered  by  him  to  the  State, 
in  the  service  of  his  country,  and  the  council  of  the  nation. 

His  untimely  death  is  the  greatest  loss  the  State  of  New 
Jersey  has  ever  suffered. 

As  a  further  mark  of  esteem,  I  offdr  the  following  resolu 
tions: 

Resolved,  That  the  House  has  heard  with  profound  sorrow  of  the  death 
of  Hon.  WILLIAM  JOYCE  SEWELL,  a  Senator  of  the  United  States  from 
the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  late 
Senator  SEWELL  this  House  do  now  adjourn. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  communicate  these  resolutions  to  the  Senate 
and  transmit  a  copy  thereof  to  the  family  of  the  deceased  Senator. 

The  resolutions  were  unanimously  agreed  to. 

Accordingly,  in  pursuance  of  the  resolutions  (at  12  o'clock 
and  12  minutes  p.  m.),  the  House  adjourned  until  to-morrow 
at  12  o'clock  noon. 


Proceedings  in  the  House.  65 

JANUARY  7,  1902. 

MESSAGE  FROM  THE  SENATE. 

The  message  also  announced  that  the  Senate  had  passed  the 
following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  the  Senate  has  heard  with  deep  regret  and  profound 
sorrow  of  the  death  of  the  Hon.  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL,  late  a  Senator  from 
the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  communicate  a  copy  of  these  resolutions 
to  the  House  of  Representatives. 

Resolved.  That  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased 
the  vSenate  do  now  adjourn. 

DECEMBER   13,  1902. 
EULOGIES  ON  THE  LATE  SENATOR  SEWELL,  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

Mr.  GARDNER,  of  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  beg  leave 
to  submit  a  resolution  and  ask  unanimous  consent  for  its 
immediate  consideration. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  the  House  meet  on  Sunday,  the  8th  day  of  February, 
1903,  at  12  o'clock  noon,  for  the  consideration  of  resolutions  commemo 
rative  of  the  life,  character,  and  services  of  the  late  Gen.  WIUJAM  J. 
SEWELL,  a  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 

The  SPEAKER.  Is  there  objection  to  the  present  considera 
tion  of  the  resolution?  [After  a  pause.]  The  Chair  hears 
none. 

The  resolution  was  agreed  to. 

SUNDAY,  FEBRUARY  8,  1903. 
The  House  met  at   12  o'clock  noon. 

Mr.  William  J.  Browning,  Chief  Clerk,  called  the  House 
to  order  and  read  the  following  communication: 

FEBRUARY  8,  1903. 

I  hereby  designate  as  Speaker  pro  tempore  for  this  day  Hon.  Richard 
Wayne  Parker,  ot  New  Jersey. 

D.  B.  HENDERSON,  Speaker. 
S.  Doc.  226 s 


66  Proceedings  in  the  House. 

The  Chaplain,  Rev.  Henry  X.  Couden,  D.  D.,  offered  the 
following  prayer: 

Almighty  Father,  whose  spirit  is  everywhere  present  to 
uphold,  strengthen,  and  guide  Thy  children  in  the  discharge 
of  the  cares  and  responsibilities  which  must  needs  come  to 
us  in  this  earthly  existence.  We  thank  Thee  for  the  holy 
Sabbath  day,  which  takes  us,  if  we  will,  out  of  the  busy 
whirl  and  turmoil  of  life's  activities,  not  only  to  quiet  and 
rest,  but  to  a  contemplation  of  the  larger  relationships  of  life 
with  Thee  and  our  fellow-men.  We  thank  Thee  for  whatever 
is  great  in  men  as  financiers,  as  discoverers,  as  statesmen, 
as  scholars  or  teachers  of  truth  and  righteousness,  but  above 
all  w7e  thank  Thee  for  that  full  rounded-out  character  in  men 
which  lifts  them  above  self  in  poise  and  nobility  of  soul. 
We  bless  Thee  for  all  whom  Thou  hast  raised  up  to  be 
leaders  of  men,  especially  for  the  men  of  America  wyho  have 
wrought  and  woven  into  the  fibers  of  our  nation  their 
characters,  which  make  it  strong  and  great;  and  as  we  gather 
here  to-day,  help  us  to  call  to  mind  whatever  was  noble  and 
pure  and  lofty  in  those  whom  we  wrould  honor  by  this  sacred 
service,  and  let  Thy  loving  arms  be  about  those  wyho  are  near 
and  dear  to  them  in  the  ties  of  kinship,  to  comfort  and 
sustain  them  in  that  blessed  hope  of  the  immortality  of  the 
soul,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 

The  Journal  of  yesterday's  proceedings  wras  read  and 
approved. 

ORDER  OF  PROCEDURE  FOR  THIS  DAY. 

The  SPEAKER  pro  tempore.   The  Clerk  will  read  the  order 
under  which  the  proceedings  of  this  day  will  be  governed. 
The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gardner,  of  New  Jersey,  by  unanimous  consent, 
Resolved,  That  the  House  meet  on  Sunday,  the  8th  day  of  February, 


Proceedings  tin  the  House.  67 

1903,  at  12  o'clock  noon,  for  the  consideration  of  resolutions  commemo 
rative  of  the  life,  character,  and  services  of  the  late  Gen.  WILLIAM  J. 
SEWELL,  a  Senator  of  the  United  States  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Flanagan,  by  unanimous  consent,  it  was 
Resolved,  That  when  the  House  meets  on  Sunday,  the  8th  day  of  Febru 
ary,  1903,  it  shall  consider  appropriate  resolutions  memorial  of  the  public 
services  and  life  of  Hon.  Joshua  S.  Salmon,  late  a  Representative  from  the 
Fourth  Congressional  district  of  New  Jersey. 


MEMORIAL  ADDRESSES. 

Mr.  GARDNER  of  Xe\v  Jersey.  Mr.  Speaker,  I  offer  the  fol 
lowing  resolution. 

The  Clerk  read  as  follows: 

Resolved,  That  this  House  has  heard  with  sincere  regret  the  announce 
ment  of  the  death  of  the  Hon.  WII.IJAM  JOYCE  SEWELI,,  late  a  Senator 
of  the  United  States  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  and  tenders  to  the 
family  of  the  deceased  the  assurance  of  its  profound  sympathy  with  them 
in  the  bereavement  they  have  been  called  upon  to  sustain,  and  the  further 
assurance  that  this  House  recognizes  the  lofty  patriotism  and  eminent 
abilities  of  the  deceased  and  the  value  of  his  long  and  distinguished  public 
service  to  his  country. 

Resolved,  That  the  Clerk  be  directed  to  transmit  to  the  family  of  Mr. 
a  certified  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolution. 


Mr.  GARDNER  of  New  Jersey.  Mr.  Speaker,  before  proceed 
ing,  I  desire  to  ask  unanimous  consent  for  general  leave  to 
print  on  this  resolution.  It  so  comes  about  that  at  least  five 
distinguished  gentlemen  who  were  to  speak  here  to-day,  Mr. 
Dalzell,  of  Pennsylvania;  Mr.  Grosvenor,  of  Ohio:  Mr.  Bing- 
ham  and  Mr.  Adams,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Mr.  McDermott, 
of  New  Jersey,  are  either  confined  to  their  homes  by  sickness 
or  are  unavoidably  absent.  It  is  desirable  that  they,  at  least, 
should  be  able  to  place  their  tributes  of  respect  upon  the 
record. 

The  SPEAKER  pro  tempore.  The  gentleman  from  New 
Jersey  asks  unanimous  consent  that  general  leave  to  print 
may  be  granted  upon  the  resolution  just  read.  Is  there 
objection?  [After  a  pause.]  The  Chair  hears  none,  and  it 

is  so  ordered. 

69 


jo  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  GARDNER,  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  We  are  met  to  commemorate  the  life  and 
achievements  of  Gen.  WILLIAM  JOYCE  SEWELL,  late  a  United 
States  Senator  from  the  State  of  New  Jersey.  His  was  the 
distinguished  life  of  a  distinguished  man,  and  his  a  distin 
guished  character  in  a  country  and  generation  prolific  of 
remarkable  men  and  remarkable  achievements. 

His  life  was  an  attestation  of  the  merit  of  industry,  integrity, 
and  valor — valor  not  only  to  lead  the  charge  on  the  field  of 
war,  but  also  to  follow  conviction  in  civic  affairs,  whatever  the 
threatened  consequences.  So  it  was  everywhere  said  of  him 
that  his  word  was  a  bond,  his  promise  performance.  Foes  vied 
with  friends  in  admiration  of  his  character,  and  at  length  he 
came  to  be  regarded  as  the  embodiment  of  New  Jersey 's  civic 
and  military  wisdom — the  best  representative  of  a  magnificent 
State  with  a  most  splendid  populace. 

The  life  of  this  man  was  simple,  earnest,  and  eventful.  He 
rose  to  high  rank  and  commanding  power  in  every  field  he 
entered.  He  commanded  the  unquestioning  faith  of  superiors 
in  civil  and  military  organizations,  and  the  confidence  of  the 
public  in  political  affairs. 

The  biographical  story  of  General  SEWELL  has  been  told  and 
is  written  in  the  record.  I  shall  not  repeat  it  at  length.  He 
was,  in  part  at  least,  of  Scotch-Irish  blood,  a  strain  which  has 
contributed  much  to  the  country's  strength  from  the  days  of 
the  colonies  to  the  present.  It  may  not  be  true,  as  sometimes 
contended,  that  "If  it  had  not  been  for  the  Scotch-Irish  in 
America  there  would  have  been  no  United  States  of  America. ' ' 
And  again,  "There  would  have  been  no  Revolution,  no 
revolt."  It  may  or  may  not  have  been  stated  too  strongly 


Address  of  Mr.  Gardner ,  of  New  Jersey.  71 

when  it  was  said  that  ' '  They  formed  the  backbone  and  the 
best  part  of  Washington's  army;  "  but  the  names  of  Stark,  and 
Knox,  and  Pickens,  and  Mclntosh,  and  Patterson,  and  Scott, 
and  MacDougall,  and  St.  Clair,  and  Henry,  and  Rutledge,  and 
Clinton,  and  Livingstone,  and  McKean,  and  John  McKinley, 
and  Richard  Caswell,  and  New  Jersey's  own  William  Alexan 
der  form  a  might}-  group  among  the  immortals  of  that  period. 

SEWALL  was  an  adopted  citizen — one  among  the  millions 
who  have  come  to  America  and  have  been  invaluable  con 
tributors  to  our  strength  and  greatness.  They  have  joined 
in  the  development  of  our  industries  and  in  expanding  our 
commerce,  have  added  to  our  scientific  attainments,  adorned 
the  professions,  embellished  our  literature,  and  defended  our  . 
institutions  in  the  forum  and  on  the  field. 

Senator  SEWELL  was  born  in  Ireland.  He  was  English 
on  his  father's  side  and  Scotch-Irish — perhaps  Irish  and 
Scotch-Irish — on  his  mother's.  He  came  to  the  United  States 
at  the  age  of  16  years — shipped  on  a  merchant  vessel  as  a 
sailor  for  a  voyage  around  the  world  and  returned  mate  of  the 
ship.  Soon  after  the  return  he  was  mustered  in  as  a  captain 
of  a  New  Jersey  company  for  the  civil  war.  He  served  until 
its  close  and  retired  a  brevet  major-general.  Being  now  in 
private  life  he  took  employment  with  the  Camden  and  Amboy 
Railroad  Company.  He  remained  a  railroad  man  by  occupa 
tion  for  the  balance  of  his  life.  In  the  earl}"  seventies  he  also 
entered  the  field  of  politics,  from  which  he  retired  only  at 
death.  He  was  chosen  to  the  State  senate  for  three  terms 
of  three  years  each.  He  left  that  office  to  enter  the  Senate  of 
the  United  States.  Although  he  twice  failed  of  reelection 
to  that  body,  because  of  the  defeat  of  his  party  in  the  State,  he 
remained  the  leader  and  was  each  time  the  candidate  and 
the  choice  of  his  party  for  the  high  office.  He  was  afterwards 
twice  reelected  to  the  Senate  and  died  a  Senator. 


72  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

The  sailor  boy,  the  captain  of  volunteers,  had  become  a 
general  and  a  Senator  of  national  renown  and  the  commanding 
figure  of  his  State. 

New  Jersey  is  honored  by  a  long  roll  of  names  great  in  war 
and  peace.  In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  Alexander,  Max 
well,  Dayton,  Winds,  Newcomb,  Shreve,  Martin,  Brearly, 
Ogden,  Rhoa,  and  many  more  achieved  fame  befitting  a 
monument. 

In  the  war  of  1812,  Perry  with  others  won  immortality  and 
added  luster  to  their  country's  arms  and  history.  Kearney 
and  Stockton  added  new  glory,  to  her  page  in  the  war  with 
Mexico.  No  monument  could  rise  broad  enough  and  lofty 
enough  to  bear  the  names  of  her  sons  who  merit  imperishable 
fame  for  deeds  done  on  the  fields  of  the  great  civil  conflict. 

Her  sons  have  been  not  less  eminent  as  jurists  and  states 
men.  She  had  her  Daytons,  her  Stocktons,  her  Frelinghuysens. 
As  an  explorer,  her  Albert  Montgomery  Pike  left  his  name 
towering  forever  on  the  peak  above  the  clouds.  And  yet  it 
has  some  how  come  about  that  the  unassisted,  self-made 
SEWELL  is  adopted  as  her  popular  hero,  and  to  him  she  will 
probably  erect  the  first  monument  commemorative  of  a 
distinguished  son. 

WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  was  one  of  the  few  who  could  walk 
alone.  He  was  wholly  self-reliant.  His  opinions  were  formed 
from  influences  within  rather  than  without,  and  never  de 
pended  upon  what  another  man  thought  or  wrote  or  said.  In 
both  civil  and  military  affairs  his  determinations  were  quick 
as  the  promptings  of  intuition  and,  if  authority  or  respon 
sibility  were  his,  action  was  as  prompt  as  decision,  and  he 
pursued  the  course  determined  upon  with  singleness  of  pur 
pose  and  disregard  of  personal  consequences.  Those  who 
knew  him  well  in  arms  best  understood  his  self-reliance  and 


Address  of  Mr.  Gardner,  of  New  Jersey.  73 

his  qualifications  for  independent  action  and  command.  An 
instance  will  illustrate.  On  a  bloody  and  well-nigh  disastrous 
day  of  the  civil  war,  General  Mott  received  an  order  in  gen 
eral  terms  to  "Fully  develop  the  strength  of  the  enemy  in 
front."  He  passed  it  to  Sewell.  When  the  corps  commander 
noticed  a  youthful  and  smooth-faced  figure  leading  a  force 
into  the  woods,  he  rode  up  to  General  Mott  and  asked,  "Will 
that  young  fellow  develop  the  enemy  ? ' '  The  reply  was 
characteristic  of  the  gallant  Mott  and  expressed  the  faith 
superior  officers  had  in  SEWELL.  Before  the  sun  went  down  - 
that  day  the  commander  might  well  have  wished  the  develop 
ment  had  been  less  efficient. 

General  SEWELL' s  life  was  a  campaign  whose  close  found 
him  a  conqueror.  With  no  friends,  save  those  he  made  by 
noble  effort,  he  had  all  the  adverse  external  conditions  of  a 
"stranger  in  a  strange  laud"  to  overcome.  He  had  neither 
the  aids  of  friendship,  fortune,  nor  a  thorough  preparation 
for  his  work.  He  was  incapable  of  resorting  to  flattery  or 
hypocrisy.  He  was  not  endowed  with  great  tact.  He  would 
not  silently  pursue  a  right  course  for  a  false  reason.  Hence, 
every  advance  he  obtained  he  was  required  to  conquer.  He 
fought  his  way  to  promotion  as  a  sailor.  He  fought  his 
way  to  every  promotion  in  war.  He  fought  his  way  in  his 
adopted  profession,  and  won  his  promotions  by  achievements. 
He  fought  his  way  under  adverse  conditions  in  politics,  and 
here  again  he  had  to  conquer  to  succeed,  and  although,  in 
his  later  years,  all  trusted  and  none  opposed  him,  he  still 
bore  the  arms  and  wore  the  armor.  He  lifted  his  battle-ax 
in  very  boyhood  and  never  laid  it  down — it  fell  from  his 
relaxing  grasp  when  the  aged  conqueror  was  dying. 

Hence  SEWELL  charging  out  from  amidst  defeat  and  disaster 
of  the  army  at  Chancellorsville  and  delivering  a  stunning  and 


74  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

bewildering  blow  straight  in  the  face  of  victorious  pursuit, 
while  giving  to  history  and  the  world  one  of  its  most  glorious 
spectacles  of  gallantry  in  arms,  but  illustrated  the  real  char 
acter  of  the  hero  of  that  hour.  Nowhere,  in  an}'  capacity, 
was  defeat,  however  overwhelming  it  seemed,  accepted  by  him 
as  complete  or  final.  He  wheeled  and  charged,  and  charged 
again.  Where  the  tide  of  disaster  was  to  be  stayed  and  turned 
back,  he  was  most  heroic  and  conquering. 

He  was  of  that  class  of  might}'  actors  who  do  not  so  much 
write  their  names  in  the  history  of  great  events  as  they  fix 
their  image  upon  them.  They  illustrate  themselves  on  the 
scene  of  the  most  eventful  hour.  Not  a  story  but  a  scene  illus 
trates  them  in  a  way  so  characteristic  that  the  life  is  portrayed. 
SEWELL  as  a  lad  resisting  mutiny — in  early  manhood  enlisting 
to  preserve  the  Union — later  quelling  riot;  and  then  giving  all 
his  splendid  energy  to  the  overthrow  of  what  he  believed  to  be 
wrong  and  oppressive  in  civil  affairs,  exhibits  his  intuitive 
determination  to  aid  in  preserving  and  upholding  order  and 
law  and  justice. 

The  spirit  of  adventure  was  born  in  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL. 
It  was.  true  to  his  nature  that  he  early  crossed  the  seas  to 
America.  When  he  shipped  as  a  sailor  it  was  inevitable  that 
he  should  choose  as  his  first  experience,  if  opportunity  offered, 
a  voyage  around  the  world.  It  could  readily  have  been  fore 
told  that  he  would  plunge  himself  into  the  civil  war.  Beneath 
the  quiet,  dignified,  but  gentle  exterior  was  a  lion  heart 
throbbing  with  a  mighty  impulse  to  do  something  great  for 
man  and  society.  The  civil  war  met  that  impulse.  The 
unprecedented  struggle  offered  ample  opportunity  even  for 
satiation  of  all  such  ambitions.  SEWELL,  with  the  thousands 
of  other  like  spirits,  was  satisfied  by  the  experiences  and  scars 
of  four  years  of  steady  fighting,  and  he  settled  down  to  the 


Address  of  iMr.  Gardner,  of  New  Jersey.  75 

work  of  civil  life.  But  he  had  been  born  for  conflict — storms 
were  his  element.  To  the  storm  he  would  have  drawn,  and 
arrayed  himself  with  the  right  as  he  saw  it.'  Somewhere,  at 
some  time,  he  must  have  been  an  actor  at  the  point  of  the 
world's  greatest  tumult. 

Few  ever  achieve  success  from  resources  so  purely  personal, 
innate,  and  characteristic.  When  he  sailed  on  the  voyage 
around  the  world,  it  is  not  recorded  that  he  had  a  friend  on 
shipboard,  yet  he  returned  mate  of  the  ship.  When  he  \vent 
into  the  war,  he  was  unknown  in  his  command  and  left  no 
influence  in  his  State  to  seek  his  advancement,  yet  he  left  that 
command  a  brevet  major-general.  When  he  entered  the  rail 
road  service,  he  had  "no  friend  at  court,"  yet  he  died  the 
president  of  the  road.  He  entered  politics  without  a  relative 
or  political  friend  in  New  Jersey  at  a  time  when  all  eminent 
positions  were  occupied  by  men  of  historic  family  and  political 
resource,  and  he  was  regarded  somewhat  in  the  light  of  an 
intruder;  he  became  the  unquestioned  leader  whose  opinions 
were  accepted  as  public  policy  and  "  molded  a  State's  decrees," 
a  United  States  Senator  whom  none  aspired  to  unseat.  So, 
too,  in  every  enterprise  with  which  he  was  associated,  his 
suggestions  were  largely  adopted  as  lines  of  business  policy. 
This  brings  to  view  the  most  uncommon,  most  remarkable 
combination  of  elements  in  this  one  man.  Nature  seems  to 
have  almost  overendowed  him;  as  a  man  of  affairs,  as  a  soldier, 
a  statesman,  a  politician,  he  achieved  greatness — several  full 
measures  of  success,  any  one  of  which  might  well  satisfy  even 
a  proud  ambition.  ' 

In  his  home  life  and  relation  SEWELL  exhibited  that 
chivalrous  regard,  devotion,  and  tender  solicitude  for  family 
beautifully  typical  of  the  Scotch  the  world  over.  Wherever 
the  Scotchman,  whether  from  Scotland  or  Ireland,  may  go, 


7  6  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sew  ell. 

however  hard  his  lot  or  engrossing  his  cares,  the  wellsprings  of 
his  domestic  love  never  dry;  and  though  his  rugged  nature  is 
hard  to  touch  and  move,  and  though  he  exhibits  the  giant's 
strength  and  the  greatest  self-control,  if  you  mention  the  loved 
and  absent  he  is  conquered  and  betrays  it  with  a  tear.  I  have 
never  met  a  man  of  this  blood  who  could  with  dry  eyes  speak 
of  his  mother's  grave. 

When  General  SEWELL  died  the  light  to  which  Jerseymen 
had  looked  for  a  longer  period  and  with  greater  confidence 
than  to  any  preceding  one  for  guidance  in  both  civil  and 
military  affairs  was  extinguished.  How  fully  we  had  trusted 
him,  how  wholly  we  had  relied  upon  him,  what  burdens  we 
had  imposed  upon  his  busy  life,  we  did  not  realize  till  he  had 
gone.  Then  we  saw  he  had  filled  many  places;  that  he  had 
been  our  statesman,  our  soldier,  our  politician — the  inspira 
tion  of  our  policies  and  enactments,  the  very  sources  of  our 
political  will. 


Address  of  Mr.  McClellan,  of  A7eu'    York.  77 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  MCCLELLAN,  OF  NEW  YORK. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  Many  years  ago,  when  a  little  boy,  I  was 
taken  by  my  father  to  a  session  of  the.  senate  of  the  State  of 
New  Jersey.  What  particularly  impressed  my  childish  mind 
was  the  presence  of  the  presiding  officer.  I  can  remember  the 
respect  and  admiration  I  felt  for  him.  I  thought  he  was  one 
whose  example  all  might  follow.  A  quarter  of  a  century  has 
passed  since  then,  and  during  that  time  my  first  impression  of 
WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  has  grown  stronger  with  the  years. 
Although  my  lot  has  been  cast  in  another  State,  I  have  always 
felt  a  Jerseyman's  pride  in  her  strong  men,  and  a  Jerseyman's 
love  for  those  who  have  made  her  famous. 

SEWELL  occupied  the  seat  of  Jonathan  Elmer,  of  John 
Rutherford,  of  Richard  Stockton,  and  Jonathan  Dayton.  With 
such  a  parliamentary  ancestry  it  would  not  have  been  surpris 
ing  had  he  been  lost  in  the  shadow  of  his  forebears;  yet 
SEWELL  stands  out  as  the  representative  of  all  that  has  made 
New  Jersey,  and  that  has  made  this  great  nation  of  ours  what 
they  are  to-day. 

Honesty  and  ability  are  the  presupposed  possessions  of  ever}' 
man  who  enters  the  Senate,  but  in  addition  to  these  essentials 
SEWELL  possessed  a  manhood  and  a  manliness  that  were 
worthy  of  the  best  traditions  of  our  history.  A  gallant  soldier 
in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  with  a  dash  and  daring  that  came 
of  his  Irish  blood,  a  masterful  ruler  of  men  in  politics,  he 
achieved  success  and  fame  through  his  own  exertions  and 
because  he  never  compromised  with  his  sense  of  right. 

Although  he  was  a  militant  partisan,  he  never  permitted 
party  prejudice  to  swerve  him  from  the  path  of  righteousness. 
No  more  splendid  page  is  written  in  our  history  than  that 


78  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

which  contains  the  story  of  SEWELL'  s  moral  courage  in  the 
Fitz-John  Porter  case.  Undeterred  by  the  fact  that  it  had 
become  a  party  issue,  undaunted  by  the  pressure  of  social  and 
political  friends,  it  was  enough  for  him  to  believe  that  a  great 
wrong  had  been  done  to  a  gallant  soldier,  and,  taking  his  very 
political  life  in  his  hands,  he  fought  the  good  fight  through  to 
victor}T.  Those  who  knew  the  man  expected  nothing  other 
from  him.  His  fight  in  this  particular  case  was  but  an  inci 
dent  in  the  battle  he  waged  through  life — a  constant  struggle 
of  all  that  was  just  and  honest  and  true — a  struggle  that  is 
crowned  to-day  with  the  victory  of  the  love  and  respect  of  all 
who  knew  him. 


Address  of  Mr.  Hull,  of  Iowa.  79 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  HULL,  OF  IOWA. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  It  was  not  my  good  fortune  to  know  General 
SEWELL  previous  to  my  entrance  into  Congress.  While  I  had 
met  him  at  great  conventions,  it  was  in  such  manner  as  to 
only  acquire  a  casual  knowledge  of  the  man;  but  when  I  came 
here  and  he  entered  the  Senate  the  lines  of  legislation  threw 
us  together  so  closely  that  I  learned  to  know  him  well,  to  have 
a  profound  respect  for  his  judgment,  and  to  have  an  admira 
tion  and  love  for  the  man.  The  life  and  achievements  of 
Senator  SEWELL,  as  outlined  by  the  gentleman  from  New 
Jersey  [Mr.  Gardner]  this  morning,  are  the  greatest  tribute 
that  can  be  paid  to  the  genius  of  American  institutions  in 
affording  such  men  from  any  country  the  opportunity  to 
work  out  their  own  great  destinies,  as  well  as  the  greatest 
tribute  to  the  Senator  himself. 

Coming  to  this  country,  as  stated,  a  poor,  unknown  boy, 
entering  the  Army  of  the  Union  to  battle  for  the  life  of  the 
Republic  and  the  perpetuation  of  free  institutions,  fighting  his 
way  up  without  any  fictitious  aids,  rank  by  rank,  step  by  step 
until,  as  stated,  he  left  the  Army  of  the  United  States  at  the 
close  of  the  civil  war  with  the  high  rank  of  brevet  major- 
general — he  achieved  much  of  military  glory.  Then,  turning 
to  civil  life  with  the  same  energy,  the  same  integrity,  the  same 
courage,  the  same  intelligence  and  high  purpose,  he  carved  for 
himself  a  place  both  in  business  and  in  politics  that  makes  him 
stand  unrivaled  among  the  sons  of  New  Jersey. 

His  life  and  his  achievements,  his  accomplishments,  his 
character,  all  leave  an  inspiration  for  the  future,  not  only  to 
the  sons  of  New  Jersey,  but  to  the  young  men  of  the  Republic 
wherever  the  historv  of  the  countrv  is  studied.  To  the  Senate 


8o  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Seu>ell. 

of  the  United  States  he  brought  a  trained  intellect,  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  politics  and  government,  and  when  he  was  on 
committees  of  conference,  his  judgment  almost  invariably  was 
of  such  character,  backed  by  such  reason,  that  the  conferees 
associated  with  him,  almost  without  exception,  yielded  to  his 
desires,  his  wishes,  or  his  arguments. 

Mr.  Speaker,  during  this  busy  life  in  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  at  the  head  of  a  great  railroad  corporation,  looking  after 
multitudinous  questions  that  affected  those  associated  with  him, 
both  in  politics  and  business,  there  never  was  a  time  when  this 
great-hearted  Scotch- Irish  American  was  not  ready  to  turn 
aside  from  his  busy  pursuits  to  look  after  the  interests  of  those 
who  served  their  country  with  him  during  the  days  of  the  civil 
war.  Most  men  in  his  position  would  have  had  enough  to  do 
to  occupy  them  full}-,  either  as  president  of  that  great  corpora 
tion  or  as  a  Senator  of  the  United  States.  Mr.  SEWELL, 
however,  attended  to  both,  and  then  gave  enough  time  to  see 
to  it  that  in  the  great  Homes  that  are  built  up  by  this  generous 
Government  to  care  for  those  who  battled  for  the  flag  during 
the  days  of  the  rebellion  their  inmates  were  cared  for,  their 
wants  supplied,  and  the  best  interests  of  the  Homes  at  all  times 
advanced. 

I  regret  that  it  was  not  my  privilege  to  know  him  more  in 
his  home  life.  One  evening  I  was  a  guest  at  his  home  for  a 
short  time,  and  I  found  there  that  the  people  of  his  neighbor 
hood,  the  statesmen  who  were  visiting  his  locality  on  that 
occasion,  went  to  his  house  to  spend  of  the  evening  the  hours 
that  were  left  in  converse  with  this  sage  of  New  Jersey.  There, 
too,  through  that  gentleness,  that  hospitality,  courtesy,  and 
kindness  \vhich  so  pervaded  his  nature,  as  well  as  the  ability 
with  which  he  presented  the  different  questions  that  came 
before  us  in  our  conversation,  I  learned  to  admire  him  in 


Address  of  Mr.  Hull,  of  Iowa.  81 

that  place  as  I  had  learned  to  love  and  admire  him  in  his 
public  life.  It  is  a  great  tribute  to  any  American  to  say  that 
his  home  life  is  perfect,  and  that  is  all  that  was  needed,  to 
my  mind,  to  round  out  the  splendid  career  of  this  great  man. 
I  am  glad  to  be  here  to-day  to  listen  to  that  part  of  the  tribute 
of  my  friend  from  New  Jersey  [Mr.  Gardner]  and  to  pay 
my  tribute  of  respect,  feeble  as  it  may  be,  to  this  man  who 
adopted  our  country  and  added  renown  and  glory  to  her 
citizenship. 

S.  Doc.  226 6 


82  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  STEELE,  OF  INDIANA. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  It  was  my  good  fortune  to  know  Senator 
WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  well,  the  acquaintance  beginning  during 
the  session  of  the  Forty-seventh  Congress,  while  he  was  serving 
as  Senator  and  as  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Military 
Affairs,  and  I  was  a  member  of  the  House  on  the  same  com 
mittee,  where  we  were  thrown  together  quite  frequently.  It 
was  only  necessary  to  be  with  Senator  SEWELL  a  very  short 
time  in  order  to  be  impressed  with  his  superb  qualifications  as 
a  business  man.  I  came  to  know  him  better  on  account  of  our 
association  as  members  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the 
National  Soldiers'  Homes  from  1891  until  his  death.  To  those 
who  did  know  him  well  it  is  not  surprising  to  learn  from 
his  biography  that,  although  he  came  to  this  country  from 
another  as  a  poor  boy,  he  succeeded  in  every  undertaking  to 
the  satisfaction  of  his  friends  and,  no  doubt,  of  himself. 

He  shipped  as  a  boy,  bound  for  the  Pacific,  and  became  the 
first  officer  before  the  end  of  the  voyage.  He  enlisted  as  a 
private  at  the  outbreak  of  the  civil  war,  and  closed  his  military 
career  as  a  major-general.  Whether  in  military  life  or  in  busi 
ness  life,  it  was  always  the  same  with  him;  he  landed  at  the 
head  of  every  enterprise  in  which  he  was  engaged,  without 
regard  to  where  he  started.  He  was  three  times  president  of 
the  senate  of  his  State,  and  elected  three  times  as  a  Senator  of 
the  United  States.  Six  times  was  he  chairman  of  the  State 
delegation  to  the  national  conventions.  He  was  one  of  the 
oldest  members  in  continuous  service  of  the  Board  of  Managers 
of  the  National  Soldiers'  Homes  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
served  one  year  as  its  president,  utterly  refusing  further  elec 
tion  to  this  important  office  on  account  of  pressing  business 


Address  of  Mr.  Steelc,  of  Indiana.  83 

engagements  too  numerously  made  to  become  a  member  of 
the  Board,  notwithstanding  the  earnest  desire  of  his  fellow- 
members  that  he  should  do  so.  He  showed  great  interest, 
in  fact,  unusual  interest,  in  the  philanthropic  business  of  the 
Board. 

Senator  SEWELL  wyas  a  quiet,  modest,  and  unobtrusive  man, 
able,  forceful,  honest,  and  strong.  He  was  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  by  all  whose  fortune  it  was  to  know  him.  He  was  a 
faithful,  loyal,  and  affectionate  husband  and  father.  He  was 
loved  and  revered  by  his  family.  I  attended  his  funeral  and 
was  not  surprised  to  learn  in  wrhat  high  esteem  he  was  held  by 
the  citizens  of  New  Jersey,  and  especially  of  those  of  the  city 
of  Camden,  in  which  he  lived,  every  business  house,  large  or 
small,  of  whatever  character,  being  absolutely  closed.  The 
memory  of  such  men  truly  lives  after  them. 


84  Life  and  Character  of  William  J   Sewell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  STEWART,  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  Death  is  regarded  in  the  religions  and  poetry 
of  all  nations  both  as  a  destroyer  and  deliverer;  as  a  sting  as 
well  as  a  blessing;  as  a  consummation,  and  a  sad  interruption; 
as  a  curse  and  a  benediction. 

It  requires  faith  unquestioned  and  profound  to  believe  that 
death  is  other  than  a  curse  when  it  takes  a  beloved  one  in  the 
hey  day  of  youth,  in  the  roseate  hour  of  hope  and  promise;  but 
we  are  in  a  measure  satisfied  when  the  grim  messenger  takes 
one  from  our  ranks  whose  life  work  has  been  crowned,  whose 
career  ended,  is  brilliant  and  replete.  I_ife  then  prolonged  is 
but  repetition,  cumulative,  and  oftentimes  monotonous. 

The  life  of  Senator  SEWELL  was  complete,  was  crowned,  was 
finished,  full  of  useful  labor  and  distinguished  success. 

Born  in  Ireland  in  lowly,  middle  rank,  he  succeeded  by  sheer 
merit  and  ability  to  reach  the  highest  office  in  the  nation 
eligible  to  the  foreign  born. 

He  was  a  commanding  figure  and  power  in  his  State,  and  a 
United  States  Senator  of  wonderful  influence  and  prestige.  In 
his  adopted  State  he  was  a  man  of  large  affairs  and  influence, 
and  his  strength  was  always  directed  to  increase  its  com 
mercial,  manufacturing,  and  agricultural  interests,  and  New 
Jersey  properly  appreciates  the  efforts  of  Senator  SEWELL 
in  the  development  of  her  interests  along  these  lines. 

But  it  is  as  a  soldier,  courageous,  daring,  ever  intrepid,  that 
General  SEWELL' s  enduring  fame  will  largely  rest. 

The  story  of  his  soldier  life,  and  his  deeds  of  heroism  read 
like  a  romance  Who  will  ever  forget  SEWELL  at  Chancellors- 
ville  and  his  brilliant  achievements  in  that  great  battle? 


Address  of  Mr.  Stewart,  of  Neu'  Jersey.  85 

General  Sickles  in  his  official  report  of  the  battle  says: 

Charge  after  charge  was  made  by  this  gallant  brigade  under  Colonel 
SKWELI,,  Fifth  New  Jersey,  upon  whom  the  command  devolved  (after  the 
loss  of  General  Mott  and  Colonel  Park,  Second  New  York  Volunteers, 
wounded)  before  it  was  withdrawn,  terribly  reduced  and  mutilated,  from 
the  part  assigned  it.  Its  stern  resistance  to  the  impulsive  assaults  of  the 
enemy  and  the  brilliant  charges  made  in  return  were  worthy  of  the  ''Old 
Guard. ' '  No  soldier  could  refuse  a  tribute  of  admiration  in  remembrance 
of  the  last  charge  made.  A  small  body,  for  a  regiment,  drove  the  enemy 
out  of  the  rifle  pits  near  Fairview  before  withdrawing  and  returned  with 
40  men,  whose  sole  reliance  in  this  charge  was  in  the  bayonet,  every 
cartridge  having  been  exploded  moments  before. 

.Such  was  SEWELL,  the  soldier. 

SEWELL  in  appearance  was  essentially  military,  and  his  mind 
was  in  the  mold  of  the  hero.  Always  taciturn,  his  silence  was 
as  significant  and  sometimes  as  ominous  as  the  sphinx,  and 
filled  you  with  apprehension  that  wrhat  he  would  do  next  might 
"  make  or  unmake  him  quite." 

His  purpose  was  always  lofty,  never  trivial;  he  loved  his 
adopted  country  with  a  chivalrous  and  courtly  devotion,  and 
was  always  ready  to  immolate  his  services,  his  means — yes.  life 
itself,  on  its  altars. 

General  SEWELL  was  a  polished  gentleman,  withal,  not 
demonstrative,  but  strongly  and  warmly  attached  to  his  friends, 
and  as  constant  in  his  friendship  as  destiny.  He  believed 
friendship  to  be  the  "sweetener  of  life,  the  cement  of  the  soul, 
the  solder  of  society,"  nor  was  he  unforgiving  toward  his  ene 
mies;  his  soul  harbored  no  bitterness;  it  was  gentle  and  kind 
and  his  whole  bearing  and  conversation  toward  those  with 
whom  he  came  in  social  or  official  contact  tended  to  encourage 
and  help. 

SEWELL,  as  has  been  said,  was  a  silent  man,  but  when  he 
spoke  a  kindly  smile  would  often  irradiate  his  stern  face  and 
his  words  would  be  low  and  sweet  and  full  of  friendlv  interest. 


86  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Seivell. 

His  memory  comes  to  us  not  in  a  "  robe  of  mourning  and  in 
a  faded  light,"  but  in  brilliant  colors  and  colossal  figures  as 
a  dignified  statesman,  a  heroic  soldier,  a  stately  citizen,  and  a 
constant  friend. 

We  are  satisfied  that  time  will  add  to  the  estimate  of 
SEWELL'S  worth  and  services,  and  that  a  just  posterity  will 
regard  his  military  exploits  and  civic  employments  at  a  much 
higher  standard  even  than  is  so  generously  accorded  by  his 
contemporaries. 

In  these  memorial  services  we  note  in  halting  words  the  life 
of  those  we  think  we  know  sufficiently  to  testify  concerning. 

Our  lives  are  involved,  too,  most  of  us  in  a  less  conspicuous 
sense,  but  all  amply  within  their  limitations.  We  alone  know 
surely  our  purpose  and  inspiration,  but  let  us  all  sincerely  hope 
that  each  of  us  in  our  public  efforts,  and  in  our  private  con 
cerns  and  friendships,  will  be  guided  by  the  spirit  General 
SEWELL  was  controlled  by — a  lofty  and  generous  patriotism 
and  unselfish  devotion  to  duty,  and  a  magnificent  and  enduring 
love  of  mankind. 

In  parting  we  salute  the  splendid  and  distinguished  dead, 
while  we  abide  a  while  in  the  shadow  of  the  Great  Mystery 
with  the  waiting  and  anxious  living. 


Address  of  Mr.  Fowler,  of  New  Jersey.  87 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  FOWLER,  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  Now  neither  the  birthplace  nor  the  parent 
age  of  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  interests  us  or  those  who  shall 
come  after  us,  beyond  the  simple  matter  of  history. 

But  what  he  aspired  to  be,  what  he  did,  and  what  he  was 
are  matters  of  vast  importance,  since  his  life  is  a  priceless 
heritage.  Ours  is  an  age  of  true  hero  worship  in  the  largest 
and  best  sense  of  the  term;  and  the  life  of  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL 
will  long  be  an  inspiration  to  every  lad  of  New  Jersey,  where 
the  potentiality  of  his  personal  influence  will  never  cease  if  the 
secondary  or  reflected  power  of  his  soul  shall  be  taken  into  the 
range  of  our  contemplation. 

What  WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  did  has  been  recounted  else 
where,  and  his  achievements  have  also  been  reviewed  here 
to-day;  therefore,  I  shall  pay  my  tribute  of  respect  to  this 
natural  leader  and  chieftain  of  men  by  recalling  those  qualities 
and  characteristics  which,  combining,  it  seems  to  me,  made 
him  what  he  was. 

His  purpose  never  slept.  He  knew  as  well  as  any  man  I 
ever  met  that  one  of  the  most  striking  differences  between 
men  in  the  race  of  life  is  the  measure  of  determination.  His 
determination  was  invincible.  His  energy  was  measured  by 
his  heart  beats.  He  died  like  a  warrior  in  the  fury  of  battle, 
restless  because  he  must  rest. 

Buoyed  up  and  borne  along  by  a  God-like  will,  he  clearly 
saw  that — 

True  ambition  there  alone  resides 
Where  Justice  vindicates  and  Wisdom  guides. 
Wouldst  thou  be  famed?     Have  those  high  acts  in  view 
Brave  men  would  act. 


88  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Scwell. 

He  clearly  sa\v  that  all  work  is  noble  if  nobly  done,  and 
every  task  was  so  nobly  wrought  by  him  that  it  was  turned 
into  a  stepping-stone  to  a  higher  and  broader  plane  of  action, 
where  duties  multiplied  and  burdens  heavier  grew,  only  to 
bring  new  opportunities  to  his  aspiring  soul.  Through  well 
doing,  from  round  to  round,  he  mounted  the  ladder  of  fame 
and  held  his  place  with  equal  poise.  As  step  by  step  he 
gained  his  vantage  ground,  he  left  no  doubt  in  any  mind  that 
his  "  words  were  bonds. "  Indeed,  there  were  those — 

Who  scanned  the  actions  of  his  daily  life 

With  all  the  industrious  malice  of  a  foe, 

And  nothing  met  their  eyes  but  deeds  of  honor. 

Nor  was  his  the  honor,  confined  and  measured  by  subtle 
speech  whose  terms  fixed  narrow  bounds  for  his  interpreta 
tion,  but  rather  that  which  sounds- in  wisdom  and  knows  no 
limitation  except  what  justice  makes.  By  every  instinct 
he  seemed  to  know  that  honor,  indeed,  is  the  finest  sense 
of  justice  the  human  mind  can  frame;  and  being  so  happily 
and  fortunately  constituted  he  could — 

Poise  the  cause  in  justice's  equal  scale, 

Whose  beam  stands  sure,  whose  rightful  cause  prexails. 

Herein  lay  the  wisdom  of  his  party  leadership  more  than  in 
practice  and  experience,  for  the  former  was  absolutel}-  essen 
tial,  while  the  latter  could  only  be  a  helpful  incident  in  such 
consummate  success  as  his. 

His  life  \vas  one  of  man}'  relationships,  and  'he  almost  inva 
riably,  with  unerring  discernment,  could  detect  the  false  and 
discover  the  true,  and  realizing  that  a  false  friendship,  like 
clambering  vines,  shades  and  rots  the  walls  it  covers,  while 
true  friendship  brings  to  life  the  brightest  sunshine  and 
sweetest  pleasures.  He  recognized  and  held  as  friends  only 
tried  and  transparent  characters. 


Address  of  Mr.  Folder,  of  New  Jersey.  89 

Xo  one  ever  charged  him  with  disloyalty  nor  placed  a 
limit  to  the  measure  of  the  support  to  which  he  was  justly 
entitled.  He  never  forgot  a  friend,  and  he  requited  every  favor 
fourfold. 

He  was  a  stranger  to  the  sense  of  ingratitude,  and  though  he 
almost  personified  reserve  in  his  military  mien  his  heart  was  as 
tender  as  a  child's. 

These  were  the  qualities  which,  uniting  in  his  soul,  made 
him  a  patriot  of  heroic  mold. 

Never  shall  I  forget  his  patriotic  words  when  his  heart  had 
been  touched  by  the  presentation  of  a  token  of  friendship,  upon 
which  he  discovered  the  name  of  his  wife  interwrought  with 
his  own. 

Alluding  to  his  love  for  that  country  which  had  made  it 
possible  for  him  to  do  so  much  for  himself,  with  an  emotion  he 
only  with  the  greatest  difficulty  could  partly  conceal,  lie 
expressed  a  profound  regret,  evidently  most  sincere,  that  it 
had  not  been  his  glorious  fortune  to  fall  in  battle  fighting  for 
her  cause.  He  said  that  this  had  been  the  one  earnest  desire 
of  his  life,  and  that  when  from  political  considerations,  urged 
by  his  colleagues  in  the  United  States  Senate,  he  could  not 
accept  the  commission  tendered  him  by  President  Me  Kin  ley, 
he  willingly  and  gladly  laid  both  of  his  boys  upon  the  altar  of 
his  country. 

Of  him  it  can  be  truly  said: 

My  country  claims  me  all,  claims  every  passion, 
Her  liberty  henceforth  be  all  my  thought, 
Though  with  a  brother's  life  cheaply  bought, 
For  her  mine  own  I'd  willingly  resign, 
And  say  with  transport  that  the  gain  was  mine. 

WILLIAM  J.  SEWELL  possessed  the  will  of  a  god,  and  was 
inspired  by  a  noble  ambition.  He  was  wise,  he  was  grateful, 


go  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sewell. 

he  was  loyal,  he  was  brave.  "His  integrity  was  as  spotless 
as  a  star."  His  life  was  as  pure  as  a  bar  of  light.  He  loved 
his  country,  and  the  full  measure  of  his  devotion  to  her  was 
not  found  in  his  own  life  nor  in  the  priceless  lives  of  his  two 
sons  which  he  gladly  proffered,  but  in  an  earnest  desire  that 
his  blood  might  be  poured  out  on  the  battlefield  in  defense  of 
her  flag. 


Address  of  Mr.  Adams,  of  Pennsylvania.  91 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  ADAMS,  OF  PENNSYLVANIA. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  I  can  iiot  say  that  these  memorial  services 
which  we  hold  in  commemoration  of  our  departed  colleagues 
appeal  to  my  best  judgment.  I  rarely  participate  in  them,  but 
there  are  occasions  when  the  distinguished  abilities  of  the 
departed  member  make  an  irresistible  call  for  recognition,  and 
when  to  this  is  added  a  warm  friendship  of  many  years' 
standing  one  can  not  refrain  from  paying  the  tribute  justly 
due  to  the  legislator  and  the  friend.  In  my  opinion  the 
best  eulogy  that  any  man  can  have  is  the  record  of  his 
public  services  during  his  life.  That  opinion  is  more  than 
confirmed  by  the  case  of  the  distinguished  gentleman  whose 
memory  I  rise  to  honor.  His  life  was  one  of  acts  and  deeds 
and  not  of  speech.  His  acts  are  recorded  in  the  records  of 
his  Congressional  career.  His  energy  is  displayed  in  the 
many  business  interests  which  he  brought  to  a  state  of  almost 
perfection,  and  his  gallant  deeds  are  written  on  the  pages  of 
the  history  of  the  country  he  loved  so  well. 

The  life  of  General  SEWELL  is  one  of  the  grandest  illustra 
tions  of  the  liberality  of  our  institutions  as  founded  by  our 
forefathers,  to  enable  individual  worth  and  individual  energy 
to  have  full  opportunity  for  their  development  under  our 
free  institutions,  regardless  of  station  in  life  or  the  support 
of  powerful  influence. 

Senator  SEWELL,  inspired  by  that  active  ambition  which 
predominates  in  the  Scotch-Irish  character,  emigrated  to  this 
country  at  the  age  of  18  years.  He  at  once  entered  upon  his 
life  work  with  a  clear  and  vigorous  mind  and  with  a  stern 
determination  to  meet  every  duty  and  trust  with  his  best  effort. 
He  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  until  1861,  when  the 
war  of  secession  broke  out.  With  the  same  assurance  that 


92  Life  and  Character  of  William  J.  Sew  ell. 

appertained  to  his  daily  work  he  applied  in  his  conviction  that 
his  services  belonged  to  his  adopted  country.  We  were  receiving 
its  benefits.  He  felt  that  he  must  return  his  obligation  in 
maintaining  its  integrity.  He  organized  a  company  of  volun 
teers  and  was  commissioned  a  captain  in  the  Fifth  New  Jersey 
Regiment,  and  served  during  the  entire  war  with  gallantry  and 
military  ability.  His  devotion  to  his  new  duty  was  such  that 
within  a  year  he  was  promoted  to  be  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
was  severely  wounded  at  the  battles  of  Chaucellorsville  and 
Gettysburg.  It  was  at  the  former  battle  that,  while  tempor 
arily  commanding  the  Second  Brigade  of  New  Jersey,  he  led  a 
daring  charge  and  achieved  one  of  the  most  brilliant  successes 
of  the  war,  capturing  many  stands  of  colors,  and  so  earned  his 
brigadier-generalcy. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  on  April  2,  1865,  we  find  him  still 
in  the  service,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  campaign  which 
led  to  the  surrender  of  General  Lee.  After  his  long  and 
gallant  service  at  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  brevetted 
major-general. 

General  S  SWELL'S  military  career  is  another  illustration  of 
the  patient  care  and  strict  attention  to  the  matter  in  charge 
which  always  characterized  whatever  he  undertook.  A  strict 
disciplinarian,  he  was  noted  for  his  kindly  feeling  for  and 
the  careful  attention  which  he  gave  to  the  men  under  his 
command.  He  was  esteemed  and  beloved  by  all  who  came 
into  contact  with  him,  and  even  amid  the  rigor  and  hardships 
of  a  military  campaign  the  kindly  side  of  his  nature  was 
never  hardened  by  the  terrible  scenes  and  acts  occurring  daily 
under  his  knowledge. 

Senator  SEWELL  illustrated  that  type  of  American  soldier 
who,  like  Cincinnatus,  when  the  war  was  over,  laid  down  his 
sw7ord  and  returned  to  his  peaceful  avocations.  He  entered 
into  the  service  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  system  in  its 


Address  of  Afr.  Adams,  of  Pennsylvania.  93 

Xe\v  Jersey  branches.  Here  again  his  indomitable  will  and 
perserverance  led  to  his  rapid  promotion,  and  he  passed  from 
one  grade  to  another  until  he  became  president  of  one  of  its 
roads.  Senator  SEWELL'S  mind  was  of  too  active  a  nature 
to  be  limited  simply  to  his  business  routine.  He  was  naturally 
attracted  to  public  affairs,  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the 
politics  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey.  This  State  was  wise 
enough  to  command  his  services,  and  he  was  elected  to  the 
State  senate.  Here  the  same  force  of  character  stood  him  in 
good  stead,  and  with  the  same  result,  for  he  became  the  presi 
dent  of  the  senate.  In  1881  he  was  chosen  by  the  legislature 
to  be  its  United  States  Senator.  In  that  body  he  was  known 
as  the  "silent  Senator,"  but  the  impression  must  not  be 
gained  that  he  could  not  express  his  views,  for  when  his  coun 
sel  was  sought  Senator  SEWELL  could  express  his  judgment  in 
as  clear  and  forceful  a  manner  as  any  of  his  colleagues  in 
that  illustrious  body.  It  was  not  lack  of  ability,  it  was  the 
modesty  and  reserve  of  the  man,  as  he  rarely  volunteered  his 
advice,  but  never  sought  to  evade  the  responsibility  of  his 
position  when  his  opinion  was  demanded. 

But,  Mr.  Speaker,  it  is  left  to  those  who  knew  Senator 
SEWELL  as  a  friend  and  in  his  domestic  relations  to  most 
thoroughly  appreciate  his  character.  Like  all  men  of  reserve, 
when  once  a  man  was  taken  into  his  friendship,  he  was  loyal 
to  an  uncommon  degree,  and  stood  ever  ready  to  aid  and 
advise  when  called  upon  by  that  tie.  It  was  my  good  fortune 
to  see  a  good  deal  of  Senator  SEWELL  in  a  social  way,  and 
I  will  ever  prize  the  opportunity  I  so  had  of  knowing  a  man 
of  so  pure  and  honest  a  character,  with  such  high  ideas  of 
his  duties  in  public  and  private  life;  and  much  as  the  State 
will  mourn  his  loss  and  miss  his  great  services,  and  brilliant 
as  is  his  record  on  the  pages  of  his  country's  history,  it  will 
be  those  who  knew  him  best  will  mourn  him  the  most. 


94  Life  and  Character  of    William  J.  Seivell. 


ADDRESS  OF  MR.  PARKER,  OF  NEW  JERSEY. 

Mr.  SPEAKER:  The  life  of  WILLIAM  JOYCE  SEWELL  was 
a  romance.  He  was  a  little  boy  in  an  Irish  town,  where 
his  father,  an  Englishman,  held  some  office,  I  believe,  in  the 
internal  revenue.  His  mother  was  one  of  the  Irish  gentry, 
but  that  boyhood  was  spent  in  poverty.  As  a  youth  he 
became  a  sailor  amid  the  islands  of  the  Pacific.  Then  he 
came  here  and  was  a  soldier  for  the  Union,  decorated  for 
braver}'  with  a  medal  of  honor,  retired  after  four  years  as 
brigadier-general  and  brevet  major-general,  and  still  in  his 
early  manhood. 

He  began  life  anew  as  the  captain  of  a  freight  yard.  He 
rose  in  the  same  quick  fashion  to  be  superintendent  and 
president  of  a  railroad  that  was  one  of  the  great  branches  of 
the  Pennsjdvania  system.  Then,  as  a  politician,  first  as  State 
senator,  he  suddenly  came  into  command  of  the  political 
circles  of  his  State — a  command  that  was  almost  as  military 
as  that  which  he  had  exercised  in  the  Army.  Elected 
Senator  of  the  United  States  amid  a  storm  of  opposition, 
defeated  for  his  second  term,  he  was  finally  reelected  by 
acclamation,  taking  a  place  here  at  the  head  of  the  nation, 
where  he  was  the  trusted  adviser  of  our  wisest  Presidents  and 
carried  the  weight  and  strength  of  the  man  who  is  born  to  rule. 

One  fact  alone  will  show  this.  The  President  wished  to 
make  him  a  major-general  in  the  Spanish  war.  His  asso 
ciates  could  not  spare  him  from  the  Senate  and  begged  him 
to  remain. 

Such  a  life  is  a  romance,  but  it  is  one  that  is  not  easy  to 
tell.  His  nearest  friends  know  how  deeply  he  loved  them, 
how  thoroughly  he  trusted  them,  how  loyal  he  was  to  them, 
how  fullv  he  felt  for  them,  how  eager  he  was  to  advance  all 


Address  of  Mr.  Parker,  of  Neiv  Jersey.  95 

those  in  whom  he  believed.  But  his  nearest  friends  heard 
very  little  about  himself.  He  was  the  lifelong  soldier,  who 
acted  instead  of  talking,  who  decided  instead  of  remem 
bering,  and  who  thought  only  for  a  purpose. 

And  yet  all  this  kind  of  description  tells  very  little  about 
him,  either  to  friends  or  to  strangers.  It  tells  very  much 
more  of  his  heart  to  know  that  in  manhood  he  went  back  to 
the  little  Irish  town  where  he  had  spent  his  boyhood  in  order 
to  go  past  and  look  at  the  house  where  his  mother  had  lived, 
but  without  the  heart  to  go  in,  because  it  was  occupied  by 
strangers.  It  tells  something  more  to  remember  the  more  than 
brotherly  affection  which  always  prevailed  between  himself  and 
his  brother,  Robert  Sewell,  the  lawyer,  of  New  York,  who. 
had  come  here  almost  with  him,  where  the  two  brothers  had 
helped  each  other  in  their  new  country  in  the  New  World. 

At  the  battle  of  Williamsburg  he  was  a  young  captain  of 
infantry.  I  think  it  wa*  his  first  field.  A  fieldpiece  and 
some  ammunition  had  been  captured  from  the  other  side. 
He  took  possession  of  it,  like  the  sailor  that  he  was — ready 
for  everything — and,  with  two  or  three  men  to  help  him,  was 
serving  the  piece  against  its  former  owners.  At  this  time 
General  Kearny  rode  up  and  asked  him  his  name  and  his 
regiment.  He  said,  "Do  you  belong  to  the  artillery?" 
"No;  to  the  infantry."  "How  did  you  come  to  serve  the 
gun?"  And  when  it  was  explained  he  said,  "  Be  kind  enough 
to  give  General  Kearny 's  compliments  to  your  colonel,  and 
say  to  him  that  you  are  a  gallant  and  efficient  young  officer 
whose  conduct  ought  to  be  commended." 

General  SEWELL  was  prouder  of  this,  his  first  commendation 
in  his  first  battle,  than  perhaps  of  any  other.  The  military 
phase  of  his  character  remained  throughout  his  life.  It  was 
almost  as  a  chief  that  he  always  received  his  friends  in  the 
receptions  which  were  held  by  him,  crowding  his  rooms  at 
Trenton,  whenever  he  went  to  the  State  capital.  Within 


96  Life  and  Character  of  \Villiam  J.  S'ewell. 

what  he  deemed  to  be  his  own  sphere  he  disposed  of  all 
matters  with  military  promptness  and  precision,  and  yet  no 
one  could  be  more  regardful  of  the  sphere  of  influence  of 
others.  His  delicate  deference  to  the  wishes  of  representatives 
whose  opinions  differed  from  his  own  was  as  marked  as  his 
autocratic  rule  where  he  had  the  right.  His  sensitive  honor 
was  shown  by  the  fact  that  as  ex-senator  of  the  State,  and 
at  one  time  ex-Senator  of  the  United  States,  he  always 
refused  to  exercise  the  privilege  of  going  upon  the  floor. 

He  began  his  political  career  in  Xew  Jersey  amid  the  most 
bitter  opposition.  Before  his  death  he  had  conquered  the 
respect  and  love  of  those  who  had  been  most  opposed  to  him. 
He  lived  simply.  He  made  no  display.  He  was  a  magnate 
in  railroad  circles,  but  no  one  would  have  known  it  from  his 
ways.  He  did  his  duty  through  life,  never  fearing  to  assume 
new  work,  until  what  he  had  to  do  in  business,  in  statecraft, 
in  charity  among  the  old  soldiers  and  elsewhere,  finally  over 
whelmed  him. 

When  he  died  the  \vhole  State  went  into  mourning.  His 
funeral  was  a  spontaneous  outburst  of  grief.  For  courage, 
loyalty,  truth,  and  courtesy,  whether  as  soldier,  statesman, 
citizen,  or  man,  the  memory  of  WILLIAM  JOYCE  SEWELL  is 
dear  to  his  friends,  who  are  found  wherever  his  work  was 
done,  whether  in  war,  in  government,  or  in  the  pursuits  of 
peace.  Let  us  keep  such  memories  green. 

Blessed  is  the  land  whose  heroes  still  have  life 
Within  the  heart-world  of  their  countrymen, 
Inspiriting  its  youth  to  noble  deeds 
And  love  of  what  has  made  it  free  and  great. 

The  SPEAKER  pro  tempore.  Are  there  any  further  remarks? 
The  question  is  upon  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions. 

The  question  was  taken,  and  the  resolutions  were  unani 
mously  agreed  to. 

O 


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